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The Most Successful 
American Privateer 

An Episode of the War of 1812 



BY 
WILFRED HAROLD MUNRO 



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The Most Successful 
American Privateer 

An Episode of the War of 1812 



BY 
WILFRED HAROLD MUNRO 






Reprinted prom the Proceedings op the American Antiquarian Society 

FOR April, 1913 



WORCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A. 

PUBLISHED BY THE SOCIETY 

1913 






THE DAVIS PRESS 
WoBCESTER, Massachusetts 



(^ v.w^.- VV OOvvv^ 



AJL A 1^1* 



THE MOST SUCCESSFUL AMERICAN 
PRIVATEER 

An Episode of the War of 1812 



The most successful American Privateer was the Yankee. She sailed 
from Bristol, Rhode Island, a town whose citizens had already, for a 
himdred years, been actively interested in the business of privateering. 

In 1680, four years after the death of the Indian 
"King Philip" the lands of the conquered sachem were 
by grant of the Enghsh king, Charles II, conferred upon 
his colony of Plymouth. In that year a town was found- 
ed to which the name Bristol was given. For one hun- 
dred and fifty years after its foundation this town car- 
ried on a commerce that was entirely disproportionate 
to its size. It was a very important commercial center 
in the days when a large proportion of the commerce 
of the American colonies and states was carried on by 
the vessels that hailed from Narragansett Bay. Its 
commerce was at first mainly with the West India islands. 
Then a brisk trade was built up with the "Coast of Af- 
rica" — a trade that was especially profitable in the early 
years of the nineteenth century. In 1804 the first cargo 
was imported from China. A profitable business with 
the "Northwest Coast" naturally followed. 

The year 1812 saw the town at the zenith of its com- 
mercial prosperity. It could then have numbered not 
more than 2,800 people, of whom 2,600 were white. 
(The blacks for many years constituted from six to seven 
per cent of the population, possibly because of the voy- 
ages to Africa.) The leading merchant of the town was 
James DeWolf, a man of extraordinary business ability, 



who was afterward chosen to represent Rhode Island 
in the United States Senate. His business had suffered 
largely at the hands of the British war vessels and he 
had kept an accurate account of his losses. When the 
Declaration of War was proclaimed, June 19, 1812, he 
felt that his day of retaUation had come. Eleven days 
after the proclamation he sent to the Secretary of War 
this letter. 

Bristol, R. I., June 30, 1812. 

The Honorable William Eustis, 
Secretary of War : — 

Sir; I have purchased and now ready for sea, an armed brig, 
(one of the most suitable in this country for a privateer) of 
one hundred and sixty tons burden, mounting eighteen guns, 
and carries one hundred and twenty men, called the Yankee, 
commanded by Oliver Wilson. Being desirous that she should 
be on her cruise as soon as possible, I beg that you will cause 
a commission to be forwarded as soon as practicable to the 
Collector of the District, that this vessel may not be detained. 
I am very respectfully. Sir, 

Your obedient servant, 

James De Wolf. 

The commission of the Yankee was issued July 13, 
1812. Her owners were James DeWolf and John Smith, 
the latter owning but one quarter of the vessel. Her 
officers were Oliver Wilson, Captain; Manly Sweet, 
James Usher, 2d, and Thomas H. Russell, Lieutenants. 
Captain Wilson was only twenty-six years old. The 
Articles of Agreement under which the privateeer sailed 
were as follows: — 

Articles of Agreement between the Owners, Officers 

AND Company of the Private armed Vessel of 

War, "Yankee." 

1st. It is agreed by the parties that the Owners fit the 
Vessel for sea and provide her with great guns, small arms, 
powder, shot and all other warlike stores, also with suitable 
medicines and every other thing necessary for such a vessel 
and her cruise for all of which no deduction is to be made from 
the shares, for which the Owners or their substitutes shall 
receive or draw One Half the nett proceeds of all such Prizes 
or prize as may be taken, and the other half shall be the prop- 



erty of the Vessel's Company to be divided in proportions as 
mentioned in the 15th article, except the cabin-stores and fur- 
niture which belong to the Captain. 

2d. That for preserving due decorum on board said vessel, 
no man is to quit or go out of her on board any other vessel, 
or on shore without having first obtained leave of the Com- 
manding officer on board, under the penalty of such punish- 
ment or fine as shall be decreed by the Captain and Officers. 

3d. That the Cruise shall be where the Owners or the major 
part of them shall direct. 

4th. If any person shall be found a RINGLEADER of 
any Mutiny, or causing disturbance, or refuse to obey the 
Captain, or any Officer, behave with Cowardice, or get drunk 
in time of action, he or they shall forfeit his or their shares of 
any dividend, or be otherwise punished at the discretion of 
the Captain and Officers. 

5th. If any person shall steal or convert to his own use 
any part of a prize or prizes, or be found pilfering any money 
or other things belonging to this Vessel, her Officers, or Com- 
pany, and be thereof convicted by her Officers, he shall be 
punished and forfeit as aforesaid. 

6th. That whoever first spies a prize or sail, that proves 
worth 100 dollars a share, shall receive Fifty Dollars from the 
gross sum; and if orders are given for boarding, the first man 
on the deck of the Enemy shall receive Half a share to be de- 
ducted from the gross sum of prize-money. 

7th. That if any one of the said Company shall in time of 
action lose an eye or a joint, he shall receive Fifty Dollars, and 
if he lose a leg or an arm, he shall receive Three Hundred 
Dollars to be deducted out of the Gross sum of Prize-money. 

8th. That if any of said Company shall strike or assault 
any male prisoner, or rudely treat any female prisoner, he 
shall be punished or fined as the Officers shall decree. 

9th. That if any of the said Company shall die or be killed 
in the voyage, and any prizes be taken before or during the 
action in which he is so killed, his share or shares shall be paid 
to his legal representatives. 

10th. That whoever deserts the said Vessel, within the 
time hereinafter mentioned, shall forfeit his Prize-money to 
the Owners and Company of the said Vessel, his debts to any 
person on board being first paid out of it, provided it does not 
amount to more than one half the same. 

11th. That on the death of the Captain, the command to 
devolve on the next in command and so in rotation. 

12th. That no one of said company shall sell any more 
than one half his share or right of claim thereto of any prize 
previous to her being taken. 



6 

13th. ^ That the Captain and Officers shall appoint an agent 
of said Vessel's company for and during the term of the said 
cruise. 

14th. That all and everyone of said Company do agree to 
serve on board of said Vessel for the term of four months, 
conformable to the terms herein mentioned, beginning the 
said term at the time of her departure from the harbour of 
Bristol. 

15th. That One Half of the Nett proceeds of all prizes 
taken by the said Vessel which is appropriated to the Vessel's 
Company shall be divided among them in the following man- 
ner (viz) To the Captain sixteen Shares and all such privileges 
and freedoms as are allowed to the Captains of Private armed 
Vessels of War from this Port. 

To the First Lieutenant nine Shares. To the 2d and 3d 
Lieutenants and Surgeon eight Shares each. Prize masters 
and Master's Mate and Captain of Marines six Shares each; 
Carpenter, Boatswain and Gunner four Shares each. Boat- 
swain's Mates two and one half Shares each. The residue to 
be divided among the Company in equal Shares excepting 
Landsmen or raw hands who draw one and one half Shares 
each, and boys who draw one Share each. Ten Shares to 
be reserved to the order of the Captain to be distributed by 
him to such as he may deem deserving among the Vessel's 
Company. " 

The Yankee was immediately and immensely success- 
ful. In this respect she was unlike the other privateers 
of the ''War of 1812." It is a mistake to suppose that 
the business of privateering was, as a rule, a successful 
one. Most of the vessels engaged in it barely paid their 
expenses. To very many the cruise resulted only in a 
loss. Much depended on the sailing qualities of the ship, 
and the way in which she was handled; but much more 
depended upon sheer luck. The privateers, as a rule, 
did an enormous amount of damage to the shipping of 
the enemy without reaping any corresponding advantage 
themselves. The Yankee, however, not only inflicted 
enormous damage upon the enemy but was also enor- 
mously profitable to her owners. 

Her officers on her first cruise were Oliver Wilson, 
Captain, and Manly Sweet, James Usher, 2d, and Thomas 
H. Russell, Lieutenants. She carried a crew of 115 



men (they must have been packed Uke sardines), and 
made for the coast of Nova Scotia. One of her first 
prizes was the Royal Bounty, sl full rigged ship of 658 
tons (about four times the size of the Yankee, but 
manned by a crew of only 25 men). The Bounty was 
taken after a running fight in which three Americans 
were wounded, while two of the EngUsh were killed and 
seven wounded. The boldness of Captain Wilson in 
attacking a vessel so much larger than his own was 
remarkable, but the end justified his conduct. As a rule 
the privateers avoided engagements with ships of superi- 
or size, remembering that, primarily, their object was not 
to fight battles for the glory of the flag, but to capture 
ships for their own pecuniary advantage. They could 
and did fight bravely and successfully upon occasion, 
but, ordinarily, deemed it wiser to show their heels to a 
superior foe. Nine other prizes were taken on the first 
cruise of less than three months, the most valuable of 
which was the ship Francis whose cargo netted more 
than $200,000 to her captors. That first cruise paid for 
the brigantine several times over, and resulted in a 
dividend of more than $700 per share. 

Small wonder then that the Bristol sailors ahnost 
fought for a place on her decks for her second cruise, 
when she sailed again from the harbor on the fifteenth 
of October. The Journal of that second cruise is pub- 
Hshed in full as a part of this paper. Captain Wilson's 
instructions this time were to scour the west coast of 
Africa and to come home in the track of vessels saihng 
to Europe from Brazil and the West Indies. After a 
hundred and fifteen days the Yankee came saihng back 
into her harbor with a prize on each side. The dividend 
for each share in the second cruise was $338.40. 

On the 10th of May 1813, the brigantine was com- 
missioned for her third cruise. Ehsha Snow was her 
Captain. The Lieutenants were Thomas Jones, Samuel 
Barton and George A. Bruce. British war vessels were 
swarming along the coast. Captain Snow learned that 
a frigate and a fourteen-gun brig were waiting for him 



8 

near Block Island. Choosing his time with care he sailed 
from Newport on the 20th of May and steered joyfully 
for British waters. His instructions were to "take 
enough prizes to make up a handsome cruise, calculating 
one-half the prizes to be retaken." Three months later 
he was again lying at anchor in Bristol harbor. Seven 
prizes were taken on this cruise but most of them were 
recaptured. The most important of them was the ship 
Thames, of 312 tons burden, with 287 bales of cotton 
on board. Vessel and cargo were valued at $110,000. 
The prize money for each share was $173.54. 

The fourth cruise was almost a failure. A new set of 
officers was on board. They were Thomas Jones, Cap- 
tain, and Thomas Milton, George Eddy and Sampson 
Gullifer, Lieutenants. All told there were 109 persons 
on the ship. Among the crew we still see the names 
of Jack Jibsheet and Cuffee Cockroach emmierated as 
cabin boys. They seem to have been steadily attached 
to the vessel. Ahnost all the names of the ship's 
company were British. It is very likely, however, 
that the two cabin boys, notwithstanding their pure 
Anglo-Saxon names, may have been of African Hneage. 
The instructions this time were to cruise ''on the track 
of homeward bound vessels near the Grand Banks." 
Prizes were to make for Nantucket Shoals and to get 
into the first port on the Vineyard Sound, avoiding 
Boston. But two prizes reached port, and the dividend 
for each share was only $17.29. 

There was no competition for berths on the fifth cruise. 
Indeed, some of the sailors swam ashore before the pri- 
vateer left the harbor of Bristol. All the probabilities 
seemed to point rather to a prison in England than a 
profit in America. Elisha Snow was again in command. 
His Lieutenants were Samuel Barton, John Smith and 
Francis Elliott. Thomas Jones, the Captain of the 
voyage before, was 2d Captain. The cruise was not 
finished as planned because the Yankee was driven into 
New Bedford by an English man-of-war and the crew 
deserted ahnost to a man. Four prizes only were taken, 



three of which were of no vahie whatever. But the 
fourth reached Portland, Maine, in safety. She was a 
full rigged ship, the San Jose Indiana, and with her cargo 
she sold for more than half a million dollars. The voy- 
age that had been undertaken with the greatest hesita- 
tion was the most profitable of all. The two gentlemen 
of color, Jibsheet and Cockroach, received respectively 
$738.19 and $1,121.88 as their dividends. Captain 
Snow's "lay" was $15,789.69, and the owners reahzed 
$223,313.10. It was the luckiest cruise made by any 
privateer during the war. Naturally resulted a season 
of great hilarity in the home port. Imagine the effect 
upon a little town of less than 3,000 people today if a 
miUion dollars were suddenly and unexpectedly poured 
into the pockets of its people! Notwithstanding the 
immense risks there were volunteers enough for the 
sixth cruise — which was to be the last one. 

Captain Snow had apparently decided to let well 
enough alone, for William C. Jenckes was the new Cap- 
tain. The 2d Captain was Benjamin K. Churchill, 
"a fellow of infinite humor" as we shall presently 
see. A. B. Hetherington, Henry Wardwell and Sam- 
uel Grafton were the Lieutenants. The times had 
become most strenuous as may be judged from this 
section of the saihng directions. ''You must depend 
principally upon the goods you take on board to make 
your cruise, as the prizes you man will be very uncer- 
tain." The cruise lasted 105 days. Five prizes were 
taken and reported to the owners in a letter written by 
Second Captain Churchill. Only one of these brought 
money to their captors. This was the brig Courtney, 
which with its cargo sold for $70,000. One was the 
General Wellesley, an East Indian teakbuilt ship of 600 
tons, in which its captors at first thought they saw a 
second San Jose Indiana. Her value was estimated at 
upwards of $200,000. She was ordered to make for 
the port of Charleston, S. C, but, with two of her prize 
crew and 52 of her original crew of Lascars, was lost on 
Charleston Bar. Captain Churchill ended his letter 



10 

as follows:— P. S. ''I have lost one of my legs on this 



cruise. " 



Less than three years was the Yankee upon the seas 
as a Private Armed Vessel of War. In those years she 
captured British property of the value of more than 
five million dollars. She sent into the town of Bristol 
a miUion of dollars as the profit from her six cruises. 
No other Privateer sailing from an American port ever 
estabUshed such a record. 

JOURNAL OF THE PRIVATE ARMED BRIGANTINE 
YANKEE, OLIVER WILSON COMMANDER- 
COMMENCED ON THE 15TH OCTOBER, 1812. 

(Kept by Noah Jones, Captain's Clerk). 
Brig Yankee, Oliver Wilson, Commander 

Thursday, 15th October, 1812. 

At 4 p. m. Capt. Wilson, accompanied by his Lieutenants, 

Master, Surgeon and Clerk, came on board. All hands were 

piped to muster, and on inspection the Commander found his 

crew consisted of ninety-five as prime fellows as ever went 

to sea. , . 1 •-! 

N B. The Yankee is completely equipped with arms, am- 
munition, provisions and other necessary articles for a six 
months cruise. She mounts 14 guns at present— 8 twelve 
pound carronades, 4 long sixes, and two long fours— has one 
long double-fortified twelve pounder (a beautiful piece) in 
her hold, to be hereafter mounted,— with 60 stand of arms and 
a large quantity of pistols, cutlashes and boarding pikes. 

Friday, 16th October 1812 
The Commander quartered the officers and seamen at their 
several stations in time of action, regulated the Messes, fixed 
the allowance of provisions, water, etc., ordered a regular Bill 
of Fare, and pointed out to every officer and man his duty on 
board the Yankee. At 9 a. m. Lieutenant Hardiman of the 
Armv came on board to enquire for a deserter. Capt Wilson 
immediately ordered the Boatswain's Mate to pipe all hands 
on deck and requested Lieutenant Hardiman to examine them 
man by man, to discover his deserter. He did so without 

^^Atl'p. m. the wind coming suddenly round to the N W. 
Captain Wilson gave orders to loose the foretopsail, send up 
the foretop-gallant yard, fire a gun, and set the signals for 



11 

sailing. At 4 the wind shifted to the N. E.— dark and cloudy 
with appearance of bad weather. At 5 clewed up the foretop- 
sail and got the barge in upon deck. 

Saturday, 17th October 1812 
At daylight sailing orders were issued by the Commander. 
Loosed square foresail, foretopsail and mainsail, fired gun 
and set our colours. At 6 a. m. unmoored and got underway' 
when abeam of the Private Armed Schooner Tom of Baltimore' 
Thomas Wilson Commander, the officers and company of the 
Yankee gave them three cheers which was immediately re- 
turned. Fired a salute of three guns as we passed Fort Wal- 
cott. Wind N. N. W. fair weather and extremely pleasant. 
At 7 passed R. I. Light. At }i past 7 gibed ship to the S. S. E. 
—set all drawing sails—considerable swell. At ^ past 9 
a. m. Block Island bore west, distant 5 leagues;— from which 
we take our departure on our cruise. At meridian discovered 
a sail at a great distance— could not distinguish what she was. 
Lat. 40 56 . 

1st Day— Sunday 18th October 1812 
First part light winds and hazy weather. 2 p. m. discovered 
a schooner ahead standing to the westward. At 3 saw a large 
ship, also standing to the westward. At 4 p. m. piped all 
hands to quarters and exercised the seamen and marines at 
the great guns and small arms. The Commander found them 
well disciplined and fit for immediate service. Sam dis- 
covered a sail 2 points on the lee bow. Took in the studding 
sails on the stabbord side and hauled up to the eastward. 
b.30 a. m. saw another sail right ahead; took in larboard stud- 
dingsails and royal, and brought her close upon the wind- 
heading N E. At 9 a. m. having lost sight of the sail kept 
away to the S. E. and set studding sails. Latter part gentle 
breezes and hazy weather. At meridian no sail in sight 
Course S. E. b S. Lat. Obs. 39°51'. 

(For several days the Journal chronicles mainly the condition of the 
weather and the necessary changes in the sails. The fact was quickly 
estabhshed that the vessel was "perfectly staunch and strong and a most 
excellent sea boat." The brigantine was always a most remarkable 
sailor. She answered the helm readily and scudded over the waves while 
other vessels were still courting the capricious winds. After the war, 
when she was simply a merchant vessel plying between Bristol and the 
Island of Cuba, she made some runs between the Moro and Block Island 
light in shorter time than that scheduled for the regular trips of the 
steamship lines. With a man o' war's crew to handle her, her speed must 
have been marvellous. Only the more important portions of the Journal 
will henceforth be printed. The total number of persons on board when the 
"Muster Roll" was called on the second day was one hundred. Ed.) 



12 

2d Day — Monday October 19th 
The log ends with the following paragraph. "The Surgeon 
has been much indisposed with seasickness since he left New- 
port. He finds the best remedy to be sleep. There is only 
one person (John Briggs) with a sore thumb on the Surgeon's 
list. 

(Apparently an epidemic of sore thumbs had been feared. Ed.) 

3d Day— Tuesday October 20th 
. 7 p. m. Shipped a heavy sea abaft the beam 
which stove in all three- of the Arm Chests, and capsized the 
musquets, bayonets, cutlashes, pistols, armourer's tools etc. 
into the lee scuppers. The Carpenter repaired the damage 
as soon as possible and replaced the arms. . . No sail in 
sight. . . The Surgeon still indisposed. John Briggs and 
the Cook on the Doctor's list. Lat. Obs. 36°15'. 

4th Day — Wednesday October 21st 
. The officers of Marines, Armourer and his mates 
busy m cleaning arms from the rust contracted during the bad 
weather, oiling them, and stowing them in the arm-chests in 
good order. John Briggs, Cyrus Simmons and Ned Ingraham 
on the Doctor's list. 

5th Day— Thursday October 22d 
. At 4 p. m. all hands piped to quarters. The 
Commander again pointed out to every man his station; ap- 
pointed Lieutenants Barton and Jones to lead the 1st and 2d 
Divisions of Boarders, and distributed the swords, cutlashes 
and pistols among the seamen. The officers then exercised 
the seamen and marines at the great guns and small arms, 
going through the usual manouvres during an engagement. 
After which all hands were summoned aft and the Commander 
read over certain Instructions regulating, under severe penal- 
ties, the conduct of the officers and crew, upon all occasions, 
particularly in time of action, or when on board an enemy's 
vessel. . . . The Surgeon still indisposed and ate no 
dinner. Briggs, Simmons, Ingraham and Angell on the Doc- 
tor's list with trifling complaints. Lat. Obs. 35''24'. 

(From this time forward Lieut. Barton is very much in the foreground- 
He was a near relative of Col. Barton of "The Rhode Island Line," who 
in the Revolutionary War had distinguished himself by his daring capture 
of the British General Prescott within the Enemy's Unes. It goes without 
saying, therefore, that he was quite devoid of fear. In after life he still 
followed the sea even though he had become extremely corpulent and had 
acquired an abdominal development which compelled universal attention 
if not admiration. Once he was chased by a French Privateer. A shot 



13 

which happened to strike the ship's cat scattered her entrails all over the 
deck. The cabin boy cast a startled glance at the dead cat, then looked 
at his Captain and was immediately doubled up with laughter. "Well," 
said the Captain, "what are you laughing about now?" "Nothing," 
said the boy, "only I was thinking what an awful mess there would be if 
one of those balls should strike you in the belly. " Ed.) 

6th Day Friday October 23d 

. At 6 a. m. the man at the mast head called out a 
sail bearing N. b E. distant about two leagues. 6.30 a. m. 
piped all hands to quarters, loosed the guns, and cleared for 
action. 7.20 a. m. fired a gun without shot, upon which the 
sail hove to. . . . At 8 a. m. ran under the lee of a large 
copper-bottomed American ship and sent the barge on board. 
Found her to be the Ariadne of Boston, Captain Bartlett 
Holmes, from Alexandria bound to Cadiz with a full cargo of 
flour, 17 days out. Capt. Holmes informed us that on the 
11th inst. he was boarded by an officer from the United States, 
Commodore Decatur. (The President, Congress and Argus 
were in company standing to the eastward.) The Ariadne's 
crew having mutinied Capt. Holmes requested Com. Decatur 
to take four of the ringleaders on board the frigate, which 
he did accordingly. Capt. H. mentioned that his ship had 
sprung a leak, and being short handed, with a disorderly muti- 
nous crew, he was bound home again in distress. The Com- 
mander put a letter on board, directed to the owners, informing 
them of the good health and spirits of the crew, and our sit- 
uation in Lat. 25° N. and Long. 56° W. . . . 

7th Day Saturday 24th Oct. 
Lat. 36°9' 

8th Day Sunday 25th Oct. 
. Briggs, Simmons, Lewis and Angell on the Sur- 
geon's list with light complaints. Lat. Obs. 35°15'. Long, 
pr. lunar Obs. at 12 Meridian 53°3'. 

9th Day Monday 26th Oct. 
Fair weather with strong gales from the westward. Scud- 
ding before the wind under square-foresail, fore topsail and 
foretopmast staysail. At 5 p. m. discovered from the deck 
(owing to the negligence of the man at the foretop) two large 
sail in our wake, distant about three leagues, standing after 
us with their topgallant sails up. Immediately hauled up to 
the S. E. and set square-foresail, single-reefed mainsail and 
fore and aft foresail. The sails astern frequently luffed up 
and yawned off and when we saw them last stood to the N. E. 
. Frequent squalls with rain and a tremendous 



14 

sea. Course S. E. b E. under three-reefed mainsail close- 
reefed square-foresail, and double-reefed foretopsail, with the 
foretopmast-staysail. Same persons on the Surgeon's list. 
Shipped a great deal of water upon deck, the comins of the 
sea frequently coming on board and penetrating every part 
of the vessel. Lat. 34°40'. 

10th Day Tuesday 27th Oct. 
. No sail in sight and nothing remarkable. Lat. 
Obs. 33°26'. N. B. It is something singular that since we 
left port we have had only one pleasant day. There has been 
a continual succession of gales of wind from all parts of the 
compass, attended with torrents of rain, squalls, whirlwinds, 
thunder and lightning, and a tremendous sea frequently break- 
ing on board and occasioning considerable damage; carrying 
away several spars and staving the arm-chests. Indeed it 
may be said that our vessel has sailed thus far under but not 
over the Atlantic Ocean. 

nth Day Wednesday 28th Oct. 
. . . . Middle and latter part of the day stiff gales 
with a high sea. Shipped a great deal of water upon deck. 
Lat. Obs. 32°5'. 

12th Day Thursday 29th Oct. 
During these 24 hours strong gales with frequent squalls of 
wind and rain, and a very high sea frequently breaking on 
board. Lat. Obs. 30°27'. Lunar Obs. at 23 M. past Meridian 
41°55'4r'. Cyrus Simmons, John Briggs, Amos A. Allen, 
James Angell, Ebenezer Byrum and William Redding on the 
Surgeon's list. 

13th Day Friday 30th Oct. 
(A delightful change.) At meridian the weather began to 
moderate. 1 p. m. fair weather with a clear horizon and the 
sea going down. Let all the reefs out of the mainsail and 
square-foresail, sent up maintopmast, rigged out the jib-boom 
and set the jib. At 9 p. m. took a single reef in the fore-top- 
sail and mamsail. During the night fresh breezes and clear 
weather. Lat. Obs. 28°43'. Long, per Lunar Obs. at 18 m. 
past 10— 40°11'. 

14th Day Saturday 31st Oct. 
Lat. 29°N. & Long. 40° 20' W. At 6 a. m. Discovered a sail 
from the masthead at a great distance bearing W. S. W. Light 
breezes from the north inclining to a calm. Piped all hands 
upon deck, set all drawing sails, in chase and got out the sweeps. 
9 a. m. found we came up rapidly with the chase which ap- 
peared to be a brig standing to the S. W. At meridian spoke 



15 

the Portuguese Brig Henriette, Capt. Jenkins, from Madeira, 
18 days out, in ballast, bound to Philadelphia. Capt. Jenkins 
informed us that on the 21st he spoke an American ship and 
brig bound home; on the 22d he was boarded by an officer 
from a British Frigate. Captain Jenkins left at Madeira 
several American vessels bound home with full cargoes; also 
two English ships loading with wine for the West Indies. 
Shortly before Capt. Jenkins left Madeira an English brig 
loaded with wine sailed for the West Indies, likewise three 
English East Indiamen with full cargoes, under the convoy 
of a British Frigate as far as Palmas. There were no King's 
vessels at Madeira. An American Privateer, owned at New 
Orleans, was cruising off Madeira and had taken several prizes ! ! 
Capt. Jenkins being short of bread our Commander supplied 
him with this necessary article, and received in return some 
vinegar, fish and fruit. Permitted the Henriette to proceed. 
. . . . Lat. Obs. 27°40'. (Wrote a letter to the Own- 
ers by the Henriette, Capt. Jenkins, informing them of our 
situation and of the good health of our Officers and Company.) 

15th Day Sunday 1st Nov. 

. . . Nothing remarkable. Lat. Obs. 27°14' N. 
Long. 38°28' W. 

16th Day Monday 2d Nov. 
At 4 p. m. piped all hands to quarters and the Officers exam- 
ined them man by man, to discover whether they were neat and 
clean in their persons and dress — according to the Command- 
er's instructions — to prevent fevers and the scurvey during 
a long cruise. The crew were then summoned aft, and the 
Captain's Clerk read the General Instructions to the Officers 
and Company, regulating their conduct upon all occasions 
during the cruise. From 8 a. m. till 4 p. m. the Watches em- 
ployed about ship's duty; the Carpenter and his Mates busy 
about making new arm-chests; sail-makers in repairing ring- 
tale; Officers of Marines and Armorer in cleaning arms, and 
numbering muskets and cartridge boxes, and seamen and 
marines in mending rigging, drying sails, and other necessary 
duty. . . . The Surgeon is quite indisposed with the 
headache, loss of appetite and low spirits. Lat. Obs. 26° 16'. 

17th Day Tuesday 3d Nov. 
. The watch only employed on ship's duty. Sam- 
uel Boynton and Ned Ingraham on the Surgeon's list. Lat. 
Obs. 25°3'. 

18th Day Wednesday 4th Nov. 
. Several tropic birds in sight, . . . The 
Prize-Master, Quartermaster's Mates, inferior officers and 



16 

nearly all hands busy in repairing the nettings, bulwarks and 
side-cloths .... Lat. Obs. 23°44' (The Commander 
issued particular written instructions to his Ofl&cers, prescrib- 
ing their respective duties upon all occasions during the cruise. 
These instructions were drawn according to the customs and 
usages of the British and American navies.) 

19th Day Thursday 5th Nov. 

At sunrise discovered a sail bearing 2 points on the larboard 
bow. Jibed ship to the E. N. E. and set all drawing sails in 
chase. At 8 a. m. found the strange sail to be a brig with her 
starboard tacks on board, standing to the westward. 9 a. m. 
fired a gun to windward, upon which the sail luffed up and 
showed Spanish colours, and then bore down for us. Took 
in all the light sails and then hove to. At 10 a. m. the sail 
came under our lee and we sent our barge on board. _ Found 
her to be the Spanish San Jose, alias El Pajaro, Captain Mig- 
uel Burgas, from Cadiz, 20 days out, bound to Santa Martha, 
or Porto Cabello, with a full cargo of red wines, aguadiente, 
fruit, sweet oil, soaps, olives, stationary, (sic) musical instru- 
ments and ladies' veils. When two days out Capt. Burgas 
saw a Spanish schooner standing for the Canaries. The 
San Jose left at Cadiz several American bessels bound to sea 
under Spanish colours; also several English men of war, and 
transports. Capt. Burgas informed us that on the 25th of 
August the French army raised the siege of Cadiz, and re- 
treated with great expedition, having previously destroyed 
their artillery. It was reported at Cadiz that there had been 
several skirmishes between the French and Russian armies but 
no decisive battle. Having examined the papers of the San 
Jose, and found the vessel and cargo to be bona fide Spanish 
property, permitted her to proceed on her voyage. . 
Lat. Obs. 22°49'. Long. D. R. 26°57' San Jose Long. 25 d. 
Cadiz. Surgeon's list. James Angell, Cyrus Simmons, John 
Briggs, Samuel Boynton, Joseph Lewis and John Koster. 

20th Day Friday 6th Nov. 

At 1 p. m. being in Lat. 22°49', the Crew of the Yankee 
preparing to celebrate Old Neptune's ceremonies on passing 
the Tropics. Accordingly the old Sea God, attended by his 
Lady, barbers and constables, dressed in the most fantastic 
manner, with painted faces, and swabs upon their heads, hailed 
our brig, came on board, were received with a salute and 
three cheers, demanded of Captain Wilson whether he had 
any of his sons on board, and welcomed the Yankee into his 
dominions. On being answered in the affirmative he asked 
permission to initiate the marines and raw hands into the 



17 

usual mysteries on such occasions. He then examined the 
Surgeon and being convinced that he came to sea to take care 
of his children when they were sick, he excused him from being 
shaved with an iron hoop, and from passing through the other 
disagreeable parts of the ceremony. After which Neptune 
and his companions went forward and regularly initiated about 
one fourth of our crew into all the curious forms requisite to 
make them true sons of the ocean. The several candidates 
for a seaman's character were properly painted, slushed, 
shaved, ducked, questioned and sworn. Their singular ques- 
tions and answers excited infinite laughter and merriment. 
After the ceremony concluded, the Commander, Officers and 
whole crew joined in a Ducking match, which aided in great 
good humour and pleasantry. The remainder of the day and 
evening were devoted to fencing, boxing, wrestling, singing, 
drinking, laughing, and every species of mirth and fun. Lat. 
Obs. 21°58'. 

21st Day Saturday 7th Nov. 

. Nothing remarkable. . . Same persons on 
Surgeon's list. Lat. Obs. 21°34'. 

22d Day Sunday 8th Nov. 

Cleaned out the cabin and got all the baggage 
and trunks on deck. Examined the Officers and crew, man 
by man, and found them neat and clean. At 10 a. m. the 
Commander and Officers attended prayers in the cabin. The 
Marines employed in singing psalms and the sailors in washing 
and mending their clothes. Lat. Obs. 21°16'. Lunar Obs. 
at 5-20 was 31°17'. Same persons on the Surgeon's list. 

23d Day Monday 9th Nov. 

James Angell, Cyrus Simmons, John Briggs, 
Samuel Boynton, Joseph Lewis, John Koster and James Craw- 
ford on the Surgeon's list with various complaints — none 
dangerous. Lat. 20°4'. A singular circumstance occurred 
to day. On opening a dolphin which one of the Prize-Masters 
caught we found a pistol ball in him which had been discharged 
about an hour before. 

24th Day Tuesday 10th Nov. 
. Nothing remarkable. Lat. Obs. 20°19'. 

25th Day Wednesday 11th Nov. 

. At 10 a. m. all hands were exercised in firing 
with the musket at a target. Found most of the crew to be 

excellent marksmen Observed the water to 

be considerably colored. Sounded with 100 fathoms. No 



18 

bottom. Lat. Obs. 19°ir. Same persons on Surgeon's list; 
none incapable of duty. 

26th Day Thursday 12th Nov. 
. At 4 p. m. the Marines trained to the Manual 
Exercise; also to several new manouvres a la mode de Francais. 
The Boarders amuse themselves with fencing and the rest of 
the crew act as spectators. . . . Lat. Obs. 18°19'. 
Long, per Lunar Obs. at 2 p. m. 28°53'30". Crawford and 
Koster struck off the Surgeon's list. The rest recovering fast. 

27th Day Friday 13th Nov. 
. At 4 p. m, the Commander exercised the Officers, 
— and the Captain of Marines his men and the Boarders, — 
to the use of the musket according to the French system by 
loading and firing without using the ramrod. ... At 
3/^ past 11 a. m. Captain Wilson called out "Land ho! right 
ahead!!" ... At meridian found the land to be, by 
an observation of the sun, the Island of St. Anthony, one of 
the Cape de Verds, situated in Lat. N. 17°20' and 24°59'W. 
Long. Lat. Obs. 17°15'. The island bore when first we made 
it S. E. b. E — distant about 5 miles. Cyrus Simmons, James 
Angell, James Thomas, Watson Morris, Aaron Mason, Samuel 
Boynton and Ned Ingraham on the Surgeon's list; none in- 
capable of duty. On examination the Commander finds 
Master Snow's lunar observations to be very correct, and that 
the dead reckoning could not be depended on. THUS in 
27 days we have run a distance of 3,500 miles, notwithstanding 
occasional head winds and a great deal of light calm weather. 
Nothing very remarkable occurred during our passage. 

28th Day Saturday 14th Nov. 
(Variable winds and frequent changing of sails. Strong 
gales and heavy squalls). No land in sight. Lat. Obs. 
16°20'. 

29th Day Sunday 15th Nov. 

(Sighted several of the Cape Verde Islands) Hazy weather 
and frequent squalls. Made and took in sail occasionally. 
Lat. Obs. 16°21'. 

30th Day Monday 15th Nov. 
Fresh breezes and cloudy weather. At 4 p. m. came to 
in a wide bay at the south end of the Island of St. Nicholas; 
out with the barge and the Commander, Surgeon and Captain 
of Marines went on shore unarmed. Found the Island to be 
mountainous, barren and uncultivated. Saw only a few small 
huts near the shore inhabited by blacks who led us to a well 
of water, brackish and sulphurous. They told us we could 



19 

fill only three barrels a day, and that there was no anchorage 
except within cable length of this iron bound coast. We saw 
the wreck of a large armed ship which was cast away there a 
short time before. They informed us there was a town or 
village two leagues distant, situated in a fine valley producing 
corn, grapes, fruits etc., where the Governor resided, but that 
wood and provisions were very dear. Capt. Wilson therefore 
concluded it would not be advisable to anchor there, purchased 
a few pigs, returned on board, and set sail with a fair wind 
for the Island of St. Jago. "... At meridian having 
run down the west side of the Isle of May, and looked into the 
port where there were only two small Portuguese boats, we 
wore ship and stood over for St. Jago. The Isle of May ap- 
pears more fertile than any of the Cape de Verdes we have 
seen yet. Habitations are scattered over every part of the 
Island and salt works appear along the beach. There is a 
small town composed of 15 or 20 houses at the south end of 
the Island but no fortifications that we could discover. Isle 
of May Lat. S. W. pt. 15° 4' N. Long. 22°46' W. Joseph 
Antony, Henry Mitchell, and George Schoonerson added to 
the Surgeon's list. 

31st Day Tuesday 17th Nov. 

The Officers and Company feasted most sumptuously on 
the pigs they bought at St. Nicholas. At 1 p. m. came to 
anchor in the harbour of Port Praya, Island of St. Jago. We 
ran from the Isle of May to that place in 1^ hours, a distance 
of 30 miles, having a fine breeze from the N. N. E. and all 
sails set. At 2 p. m. the Commander, attended by his Surgeon 
and Clerk, went on shore. He reported himself to the Gov- 
ernor-General and Intendant as the Armed American Brig 
Yankee, and requested permission to obtain a supply of water, 
wood and fresh provisions. This permission was immediately 
granted, and the Governor expressed much satisfaction, and 
some degree of surprise, at seeing an American armed vessel 
in this distant part of the world. He inquired very particular- 
ly concerning the events of the war between America and 
England, and regretted that this circumstance had deprived 
these islands of the American commerce. He said they were 
in great want of flour, bread, rice, etc., and offered a supply of 
every article our vessel wanted in return for those articles. 
He informed us no English vessels had touched at this island 
for some weeks past, but that there was an old British brig on 
the south side of St. Anthony loading with salt for the Brazils. 
The Governor further mentioned that the Private Armed 
American Ship called the Alfred, Captain Williams, touched 
at this island a short time since and obtained a supply of water 



20 

and provisions. The Alfred had taken and manned two val- 
uable prizes, and was then bound on a long cruise. On taking 
leave the General told Capt. Wilson that he should expect the 
customary salute which would be returned. 6 p. m. the barge 
returned on board. At 8 a. m. we fired a regular United States 
salute of 17 guns which was immediately returned by an equal 
number from the town. Part of the Officers and men em- 
ployed in filling water and the remainder about ship's duty. 

32d Day Wednesday 18th Nov. 

4 p. m. got all our water on board. Sam. The Intendant- 
General, Dr. Madina, came on board with the Governor- 
General's compliments on our arrival. He remained and 
took breakfast with us, and appeared pleased with the appear- 
ance of the Yankee. 9 a. m. Capt. Wilson went on shore with 
part of the crew and such articles as he had agreed to exchange 
for fresh provisions. On examining the Intendant's book of 
entries find that two English brigs from London, bound to the 
Cape of Good Hope, touched here for water on the 29th ult. 
and also the Sloop of War Morjiana, Capt. Georges, with des- 
patches for the same place. The Officers and Company have 
caught a great quantity of fish of different kinds since we came 
to anchor. . . . William Redding and Preserved Atwood 
added to the Surgeon's list. 

33d Day Thursday 19th Nov. 

First part of these 24 hours got all our wood and fresh stock 
on board. The Commander and several of his Ofiicers dined 
with the Intendant. At 3^ past 9 p. m. they returned on 
board. Immediately got under way with a fresh breeze. 
. N. B. The harbour of Port Praya is spacious, 
secure and of easy entrance, with good anchorage in 10 fath- 
oms water. The town, also called Praya, is situated on the 
top of a mountain, or rock, and encloses an extensive plain, 
the houses forming nearly a circle. There is a small stone 
church and four other decent buildings. Both the port and 
town are well fortified, mounting at least 70 pieces of cannon. 
The garrison however is most miserable, being composed en- 
tirely of blacks without discipline, arms, or even decent cloth- 
ing. It is a singular fact that most of their musquets are 
without locks. We have not the least hesitation in saying 
that with thirty men we might have surprised and taken the 
town. The officers of the Yankee feel much gratified with the 
politeness and attentions they received from the Governor 
General Don Antonine Cortine Del Ancastra, and from the 
Intendant De Madina. They have obtained a sufficient 
supply of wood and water for at least two months, and as much 



21 

live stock and fruits as they wished to take on board. These 
articles were purchased at a small expense. Port Praya 
Lat. 14°52' N. Long. 23°30 W. Same persons on the Surgeon's 
list. 

34th Day Friday 20th Nov. 

. . . . Nothing remarkable. Lat. Obs. 14°37'. 

35th Day Saturday 21st Nov. 
. . . . No sail or land in sight. Lat. Obs. 14°22'. 

36th Day Sunday 22d Nov. 

(Cape Verds again in sight). Lat. Obs. 14°26' Surgeon's 
list — James Thomas, Lemuel Baker, George Gunnerson, John 
Briggs, Lyman Peck, Asa Switchell, William Redding, Ned 
Ingraham, Joseph Lewis, James Angell and Gibsheet. None 
disabled from duty but Redding. 

37th Day Monday 23d Nov. 

y^ past meridian the Island of Goree hove in sight distant 
about 2 leagues to windward. 1 p. m. saw a schooner under 
full sail standing out of Goree harbour towards us. Piped 
all hands to quarters. 2 p. m. the schooner tacked to wind- 
ward; immediately tacked ship and set all sail in chase. At 
3 passed within 5 miles of Goree. ^ Discovered a large English 
Brig and several small craft at anchor under the fort. . 
Finding we came up rapidly with the chase, arid believing her 
to be an armed vessel, again piped all hands to quarters and 
cleared for action. 9 p. m. hoisted a light on our fore rigging, 
and discharged several muskets as a signal for the chase to 
heave to; not obeying these signals fired a shot under her 
stern; still continuing her course fired one of the bow guns, 
well loaded, directly into her; upon which she immediately 
bore away, and ran down close under our lee. As she passed 
us Capt. Wilson hailed her with the usual questions, and by 
the answers found her to be "His Britannic Majesty's Schoon- 
er St. Jago, from Goree bound to Senegal." After which the 
British Commander hailed us and was told we were "The 
Armed American Brig Yankee"; after which he demanded 
" How we dared to fire into His Majesty's schooner and ordered 
us to send our boat on board." Captain Wilson replied "I 
will not, strike your colours or I will sink you." Instantly 
His Britannic Majesty's Schooner wore upon her keel, and 
luffed up close on the wind, to prepare (as we supposed) for 
action. Not thinking it advisable to engage a King's vessel, 



1 The name Goree was until very recently applied to the part of the town of Bristol 
in which the negroes lived. 



22 

without knowing her force, at close quarters during a dark 
night, we resolved to wait until daylight, and therefore stood 
after her under easy sail. At 11 p. m. the St. J ago fired a shot 
which passed over us; we returned the compliment by giving 
him Long Tom— doubly charged with round and langrage. 
We thus returned shot for shot until 1 p. m., when the Com- 
mander and Officers thinking it inadvisable to engage a gov- 
ernment vessel, where we should only get hard blows, and 
probably lose some spars and men, ordered the Master to 
make sail and stand to the W.S.W. to deceive the Enemy as 
to our cruising station. At 2 p. m. lost sight of him astern. 
The Officers and men remained at quarters upwards of 5 hours 
and displayed great resolution and courage. . 
Lat. Obs. 14°2'. ' ' 

38th Day Tuesday 24th Nov. 

. . . . Land in sight. . . Nothing remarkable. Lat. 
Obs. 11°40'. 

39th Day Wednesday 25th Nov. 
. . . At 4 p. m. Edward James, one of the seamen, 
received 12 lashes, in the main rigging, in presence of the 
whole crew, as a punishment for stealing a shirt from one of 
the Marines. == John Koster struck off the Surgeon's list— 
the other invalids recovering fast— none incapable of dutv. 
Lat. Obs. 8°53'. 

40th Day Thursday 26th Nov. 
. . . . Nothing remarkable. . . No Obs. 

41st Day Friday 27th Nov. 
. . At 6 a. m. Jonathan Whitmarsh saw a sail bear- 
ing N. b. E. distant about 3 leagues. Set all sail in chase 
• 7 a. m. discovered the sail to be a sloop. . . 
9 a. m. piped all hands to Quarters. 10 a. m. cleared for ac- 
tion and fired a gun without shot, upon which the sail bore 
down for us. 10.30 she came under our lee with English col- 
ours flying at her main peak. Captain Wilson hailed her and 
ordered her to strike her colours instantly, which she did ac- 
cordingly. Sent the barge on board. Found her to be the 
Sloop Mary Ann of London, Stewart Sutherland, Master, 
70 & 21/95 tons burden, copper-bottomed, armed with 4 
carriage guns, and navigated by 9 persons, trading upon the 
coast, with a cargo of sundries. She was last from Dick's 
Cove, bound to Sierra Leone. Upon examining the Mary 

' This 13 the only record of a punishment inflicted upon one of the crew during the whole 
cruise. As^^will later appear one of the Officers became subject for censure on several 
occasions. 



23 

Ann and cargo it was not advisable to send her as a prize to 
America, but to take out of her the most valuable part of her 
cargo and then set her on fire. Accordingly we received on 
board the Yankee a quantity of gold dust (value unknown), 
some ivory, trade muskets, a few Calcutta goods, and sundry 
small articles of no great value. We then set fire to the Mary 
Ann and made sail on our course. The probable value of the 
Mary Ann and her cargo might be $12,000. Lat. Obs. 7°29' 
N. Surgeon's list James Angell, George Gunnerson, Asa 
Switchell, Joseph Butman, Anson A. Allen, John Briggs, 
& Samuel Boynton. Slight complaints, none disabled from 
duty. The weather becomes remarkably hot, with almost 
continual calms, light winds, thunder, lightning and rain. 

42d Day Saturday 28th Nov. 

. All hands employed in stowing away the ivory. 
.... Lat. Obs. 7°33'. 

43d Day Sunday 29th Nov. 

. Nothing remarkable. . . . Invalids re- 
covering fast Lat. Obs. 7°13'. 

44th Day Monday 30th Nov. 
. . Nothing remarkable. . . (Sail sighted but 
lost) Lat. Obs. 6°47'. The weather becomes insufferably hot. 
Almost continual calms, with a vertical sun. 

45th Day out— 1st Dec. 1812 
. Nothing remarkable. Lat. Obs. 6°45'. 

46th Day Wednesday 2d Dec. 
• _ • . . At 7 a. m. Abner Midget saw a sail right ahead 
distant about 5 leagues. Got out all the sweeps. 8 a. m. 
observed several water spouts under the lee — squally with 
flying clouds and rain. At 11 made out the chase to be a 
schooner standing to the eastward. At meridian still in chase 
of the schooner distant about 2 leagues. Lat. Obs. 6°55'. 

47th Day Thursday 3d Dec. 
At meridian continued in chase of the sail ahead, i^ past 
12 got out the boats to assist the sweeps by towing. Found 
we came up rapidly with the chase. 2 p. m. fired a gun; 
hoisted English colours; not answered. }/2 past 2 p. m. gave 
her a gun, upon which the chase showed English colours. 
3 p. m. being distant about 13^ miles hoisted American colours 
and commenced firing Long Tom, towing the Brig all the time 
with the boats. 4 p. m. got the boats astern, piped all hands 
to Quarters and cleared for action. Light airs and a smooth 
sea. Being now within good gun shot commenced a brisk 



24 

cannonade on the starboard side. The chase returned the 
fire with 4 guns, the shot frequently falling near and one shot 
wounding the jib. At 20 minutes past 4 p. m. the Enemy- 
fired a stern-chaser, double-charged, and instantly blew up, 
occasioning a tremendous explosion. Observed the Enemy 
to be on fire and several men swimming alongside. Imme- 
diately ceased firing (although her colours were still flying) 
and sent our boats with Lieut. Barton and Master Snow on 
board to save the lives of the Enemy, and extinguish the fire. 
They took up the swimmers and then rowed alongside. The 
scene that now presented itself to their view was shocking 
beyond description. The vessel was still in flames, the quar- 
ter-deck was blown off, the Captain was found near the main- 
mast — naked, mangled and burnt in the most shocking man- 
ner, one of the seamen lay near bruised and burnt almost as 
bad, a black man was found dead on the cabin floor, and five 
others around him apparently dying. All these wounded men 
were sent on board the Yankee and there received every pos- 
sible attention from the Captain, Surgeon and Officers. Dr. 
Miller dressed their wounds and gave them the proper medi- 
cines but found the Captain and several of the blacks in a 
most dangerous condition. The Captain had received two 
deep wounds in the head which penetrated to the skull (prob- 
ably from our langrage shot), his arms and legs were much 
bruised, his skin nearly all burnt off and his whole system great- 
ly injured by the concussion. A small black boy had a most 
singular yet distressing appearance. This boy was literally 
blown out of his skin and for some time after he came on board 
we thought he was white. The sufferings of these poor fellows 
seemed very painful and excruciating. Lieut. Barton extin- 
guished the fire, sent all the prisoners on board together with 
a boatload of sundry articles taken out of the cabin which had 
not been consumed. Finding the prize no ways injured ex- 
cept in her quarter deck the Commander ordered Lieut. Bar- 
ton with a chosen crew to remain on board and to keep com- 
pany Avith us during the night. On examination of the Schoon- 
er's papers and log-book we found her to be the Letter of Marque 
Schooner called The Alder of Liverpool, (owned by Charles 
B. Whitehead) formerly called La Clarisse and taken from the 
French, commanded by Edward Crowley, 77 tons burthen, 
mounting 4 carriage guns, and navigated by 10 men, besides 
11 African crew, men. She left Sierra Leone 9 days ago bound 
to the Leeward on a trading voyage, with an assorted cargo 
of Bafts,' gunpowder, muskets, bar-lead & iron, beads, flints 
and sundries. The Alder appears to be about 4 years old, is 



* Baft, or bafta, was a coarse etuft of Indian cotton. 



25 

copper-bottomed, measures 67 feet in length, but her sails 
are very poor and she does not sail well. The probable 
value of this prize in America might be $5000; but her nett 
value could not exceed S3000. At 8 p. m. one of the black 
seamen died and was thrown overboard. 25 minutes past 
2 a. m. Captain Crowley notwithstanding every medical as- 
sistance departed this life in the greatest agony. For some 
hours previous to his dissolution he appeared to suffer excru- 
ciating torments and when informed of his approaching end 
did not seem sensible of his situation. His body was com- 
mitted to the waves with as much decency as was practicable. 
At 9 a. m. the boy before mentioned also died and had a 
watery grave. The white seamen and three other blacks 
are just wavering between life and death and we fear can not 
recover. 

The Boatswain related to us the accident which led to the 
horrid catastrophy. He said the Captain stood at the helm 
steering the vessel and giving his orders; that himself and 
several of the seamen were stationed at the gun aft; that the 
instant it was discharged the gun capsized with great violence, 
broke one of the quarter deck planks, threw the wadd-all on 
fire — directly into the magazine which was situated abaft the 
cabin, and the vessel instantly blew up. (Himself and an- 
other seaman leaped into the sea when they saw the gun dis- 
mounted and thus saved themselves.) It is supposed the 
Captain was thrown from the helm into the air and then fell 
into the main rigging. The blacks who were so dreadfully 
mangled were in the magazine filling cartridges. Sent the 
carpenter with materials to repair the prize. At 4 a. m. came 
on one of the most tremendous tornadoes ever witnessed. It 
blew, rained, thundered and lightened in a truly terrific man- 
ner. Took in all sail and kept the vessel before it. The light- 
ning was unusually vivid and struck several times close on 
board. Having no conductor every mind was filled with ap- 
prehension and alarm. Latter part very light airs inclining 
to calm. The prisoners inform us there are several vessels of 
war at Sierra Leone, to wit, a new frigate, 2 sloops of war, a 
gun-brig, and several smaller vessels, all bound out on a cruise. 
They also tell us of two fine brigs which lately sailed from that 
place and are trading to the leeward — one of them owned by 
the late Captain of the Alder. The Alder has several shot 
in her sails, rigging, boat etc. but none in her hull.* Our 
invalids recovering fast. They all appeared at quarters except 
Goff who had a large sweUing on his right arm. Lat. Obs. 
5°53'. 

* The Yankee in firing aimed to disable — not to destroy her possible prizes. 



26 

48th Day Friday 4th Dec. 

During the greater part of these 24 hours calm with occa- 
sional light airs. At 4 and 6 p. m. the two other black seamen 
who were blown up on board the schooner died and were 
thrown overboard, making altogether six persons who have 
perished by this most unfortunate accident. The white sea- 
man is still in a most dangerous state, but the Surgeon gives 
us hopes of his recovery. 

We were much surprised on examination of the Alder's 
colours to discover a Pirate's flag and pendant. This circum- 
stance lessens our compassion for the deceased Captain Crow- 
ley as it indicates a hostile disposition toward all mankind. 
On a consultation of officers it was deemed ad- 
visable to man our prize, put on board of her the muskets, 
bafts, iron, etc. we took out of the Sloop Mary Ann, send her 
to Loango to dispose of her cargo for gold dust, ivory, dye- 
woods, or other valuable articles, and then proceed to America. 
Accordingly the Commander commissioned Daniel Salisbury 
as Prize-master, together with Edward Jones as Mate and 
four seamen to navigate said prize on her intended voyage. 
Made out a prize commission, letter of instructions, invoices, 
etc. and gave the Prize-master all the schooner's papers. We 
sent on board of her every article we had taken out of the 
sloop or schooner, together with provisions and various other 
necessary articles. All hands employed in despatching the 
prize. Lat. Obs. 7°. 

49th Day Saturday 5th Dec. 

The wounded foreigner recovers fast and is con- 
sidered out of danger. All invalids recovered. Lat. Obs. 
6°53'. 

50th Day Sunday 6th Dec. 

At ^ past 4 p. m. saw the land. . . . Being Saturday 
night the crew drank a health to all sweethearts and wives 
and amused themselves with various diversions. The marines 
chanted psalms and hymns, the sailors sang " Old Tom Tough," 
and "Old Tom Bowling," and the officers listened with pleas- 
ure to the merriment of the crew.^ Sounded frequently during 
the night in 40, 30, 21 & 15 fathoms of water. At daylight 
saw Cape Mount. . . . Two canoes came from the 
shore with blacks. They informed us there were no vessels 
of any description at the Cape, upon which we up helm, 
squared the yards and bore away to the leeward. . . ' . 
Lat. Obs. 6°38' N. 

' In comparing the edifying muaic of the marines with the ungodly songs of the sailors 
the gentle reader will do well to bear in mind the fact that the writer was the Captain of 
Marines. 



27 

51st Day Monday 7th Dec. 
At 4 p. m. two canoes came along side from Cape Little 
Mount and informed us of a schooner loading with rice at 
Trade-town, and also of a large brig that sailed from Mon- 
serrada this morning bound to leeward. During the night, 
not wishing to pass by Monserrada, stood off and on under 
easy sail until daylight when we saw Cape Monserra distant 
about 7 leagues. 10 a. m. another canoe came off who con- 
firmed the news relative to the brig and also mentioned (Which 
we regret to hear) that a sloop of war passed down to leeward 
6 days ago. Bought a few plantains and cassadas of these 
natives but did not suffer them to come on board. These 
Africans came off the distance of 3 or 4 leagues in small bark 
canoes and were entirely naked; they most of them spoke some 
English. The foreign invalid seems worse to-day, owing no 
doubt to the excessive heat. Lat. Obs. 6°15' N. 

52d Day Tuesday 8th Dec. 
. . . . At 6 a. m. saw a sail right ahead distant about 
4 leagues. ^ Set all sail in chase. 9 a. m. made out the chase 
to be a brig standing in shore 

53d Day Wednesday 9th Dec. 
CAPTURE OF THE ANDALUSIA 
Lat 5°35' N. Trade Town bearing N. E. distant about 4 
leagues. Commences with light airs inclining to calm. Con- 
tinued in chase of the sail ahead. We now discovered her to 
be a large armed brig, showing 8 ports on a side, with English 
colours flying at her main peak, apparently preparing for 
action. At i^ past 1 p. m. the enemy commenced firing, 
heaving every shot over us. 2 p. m. he made sail and began 
discharging his stern-chasers. At 3^ past 2, being within half 
cannon shot, we commenced firing our Long Twelve. ^ past 
3 p. m., having approached within half-musket shot, we opened 
our whole battery upon the enemy and continued the action 
(the enemy keeping up a well directed fire from his cannon and 
musketry) till 20 minutes past 4 p. m.,— when observing that 
the Enemy's colours had been shot away in the early part of 
the engagement, and that his fire became very faint, the 
Commander gave orders to cease firing, and hailed her, en- 
quiring if she had struck. The enemy answered "I have." 
Sent Lieut. Barton on board and found her to be the English 
Letter of Marque Brig called the Andalusia, Anthony Yates 
Kendall, Master, 210 tons burthen, mounting 10 carriage 
guns, 6 twelve pound cannonades, & 4 long French nines, with 
small arms, ammunition etc., navigated by a Captain, Super- 
cargo, and 17 white seamen, besides 81 free Africans who served 



28 

as marines. The Andalusia is owned at Gibraltar, and was 
last from Sierra Leone bound to the Leeward with a cargo of 
sundries on a trading voyage. It appears from her Log that 
she captured an American brig called the Two Friends oil 
Port Praya, and carried her into Sierra Leone. The actiori 
lasted nearly three hours from the time the first shot was fired 
until the Enemy struck. We engaged him 45 mmutes withm 
pistol shot. Captain Kendall and his Boatswam were both 
slightly wounded; the remainder owed their safety to their 
excellent bulwark. On boarding the prize we found her main- 
mast and foreyard badly wounded; one shot under her fore- 
chains, which passed through and lodged in the opposite tim- 
bers' another which entered the cabin and lodged in the Cap- 
tain's bed; nearly all her sails, braces, standing and running 
rigging shot away, and every part of the vessel more or less 
injured. All the white prisoners were sent on board the 
Yankee and Lieut. Barton with a strong watch remained on 
board the prize to guard the blacks. At 6 p. m. we made 
sail standing in shore, our prize in company, and carne to an- 
chor in 20 fathoms water. At daylight piped all hands to 
duty sent part of the crew on board the Andulusia to repair 
damages and employed the remainder of the officers and crew 
in mending our sails, splicing our rigging, cleaning the arms, 
landing the black prisoners on their own shore, and other 
necessary duty. On examining our vessel after the action 
found we had received one 121b shot through our bulwarks 
which passed out the lee side without any material injury, 
4 balls through the main-sail, 6 shot in the foretopsail, one 
grape-shot lodged in the mainmast, and the weather forebrace, 
and one of the shrouds shot away. No person wounded. 

At 7 a. m. we discovered a schooner in shore, standing to the 
northward. Weighed anchor and set sail in chase. 9 a. m. 
being nearly calm sent Master Snow with an armed boats 
crew with orders to take possession of her and then to set sail 
for the Yankee. At meridian Master Snow not returned. 
Lat. Obs. 5°35' N. 

54th Day Thursday 10th Dec. 
At 4 p. m. Master Snow came to anchor under our lee with 
his little prize and gave the following account of his adventure. 
• He said that on approaching the vessel he observed her boat 
attempting to land on the beach. That she struck on a rock, 
was capsized, throwing every article into the sea, and the 
Captain and crew swam on shore. That on going on board 
he found her entirely deserted, as he expected, and stripped 
of every valuable article, except a quantity of rice stowed in 
bulk. He immediately made sail and stood for the privateer. 



29 

The prisoners inform us that the schooner is called the George, 
and owned by Mr. Carr of Sierra Leone; that she is an Amer- 
can pilot boat and was taken in the Gambia about six months 
ago. She appears to be 60 or 70 tons burthen, has very poor 
sails and foul bottom. No doubt if coppered, with new can- 
vass, she would sail remarkably well, at present she is very 
dull. As soon as she came to anchor we sent all our boats to 
take out the rice. We supplied our vessel and the other prize 
with as much of this article as was wanted, and then Captain 
Wilson made a present of the vessel to Captain Sutherland, 
late of the Mary Ann, as he had been the greatest sufferer by 
the capture of his vessel, and moreover had been 15 days a 
prisoner on board of the Yankee. 

At 11 a. m., having taken the parole of all the white prison- 
ers on board (giving them duplicates) we supplied them with 
every necessary article for their voyage to Sierra Leone and 
gave them all their clothes, baggage, private property etc., 
bade them farewell, sent them on board the schooner, and then 
made sail in company with our prize, standing down the coast. 
Captains Sutherland and Kendall, Mr. O'Connor, and all the 
prisoners, expressed their gratitude and thanks for the kind 
treatment they had received on board the Yankee. Indeed 
they could do no less. For the captains lived in the cabin 
with the officers, the mates in the wardroom, and the sailors 
were well treated by our crew. In fact our instructions re- 
quire that we shall treat our prisoners with kindness and hu- 
manity. N. B. The Supercargo of the Andalusia estimated 
the vessel and cargo at $19,000, but I am confident they will 
not sell for $9000 in America. The George with her rice might 
be worth $800. Lat. Obs. 5°30' N. 

5oth Day Friday 11th Dec. 
Having landed the Africans and dismissed the white pris- 
oners (amounting altogether to 145 persons) we made prepara- 
tions for sending home the Andalusia. Made out commission, 
prize instructions and other documents for Captain Robert 
Tompenny, who was appointed Prize-master, together with 
William Child as Mate and 7 seamen to navigate said prize 
to America. Also wrote a letter to the owners giving them an 
abstract account of our cruise up to the present period. At 
4 p. m. gave our prize three cheers, bade them adieu, and made 
all sail, standing down the coast. During the night light winds 
and hazy weather. This morning a great number of canoes 
along side with fish and other articles. Exchanged some 
tobacco, bafts, iron etc. for ivory and fresh provisions. . . 
John Carter, the Captain of Long Tom, broke his arm on board 
the prize in jumping into the hold. The Surgeon set it. We 



30 

have at present no invalids on board. Two or three of the 
marines are troubled with bad boils but none disabled from 
duty. The Surgeon thought it best to send the poor fellow 
who was blown up on board the Alder to Sierra Leone under 
the care of Captain Sutherland. Lat. Obs. 4°59' N. 

56th Day Saturday 12th Dee. 
At 6 p. m. came to anchor in 15 fathoms of water in a sandy 
bottom, opposite the town of Settakroo (about 60 miles to the 
windward of Cape Palmas) at the distance of about three 
miles from the shore. ... At daylight piped all hands 
to duty and sent both our boats, with a number of canoes, 
to fill our water. We are told this is the safest place to water 
from Goree to Cape Palmas, as the anchorage is good, the 
landing easy, and the water most excellent. His Majesty 
the King of Settakroo came on board. He is an old man and 
wears a mantle. His subjects are entirely naked. His son 
called Grand Loo, whom we took out of the Andalusia, has 
been of great assistance to us in our traffic with the natives 
for ivory and fresh stock. There are upwards of a hundred 
canoes alongside, dressed in the robe of Paradise, who talk 
and chatter and scream like a set of monkeys or parrots. 
Lat. Obs. 4°42'. 

57th Day Sunday 13th Dec. 
These 24 hours filled our water, bought two fine bullocks, 
five goats, and a quantity of fowls, yams, plantains etc. At 
7 p. m. unmoored and made sail, standing down the coast. 
. At sunrise calm and no land in sight. Killed 
one of the bullocks. A number of fishing canoes alongside. 
.... Lat. Obs. 4°42'. 

58th Day Monday 14th Dec. 
. At 5 p. m. hove to off the town of Grand Sisters, 
distant about 3 miles. Sent our barge on shore to land Tom 
Wilson, whom we had taken prisoner on the Mary Ann. This 
fellow, son to the King of Grand Sisters, has been of great 
assistance to us in filling our water, and trading with the na- 
tives for live stock, ivory etc. He speaks good English and is 
an honest, intelligent negro. When our barge landed we ob- 
served a vast collection of the natives on the beach. Grand 
Sisters appears to be a large town, composed of a great number 
of huts, situated in the midst of palm groves and rice fields. 
The adjacent scenery has really a very pleasing and picturesque 
appearance. This town is at war with little Sisters, their 
neighbors and the natives showed great apprehension in com- 
ing off to our vessel. . . . The canoes alongside say no 
vessels have passed here this month. At meridian Cape Palm- 



31 

as in sight. . . . This Cape has no distinguishing ap- 
pearance except a small rise in the land & trees. Watch em- 
ployed in painting the ship. Thermometer 106 in the sun. 
Lat. Obs. 4, 17. 

59th Day Tuesday 15th Dec. 
. Killed the other bullock. At meridian sailing 
the Bay of St. Andrews. The land here rises considerably 
and is covered with trees to the very top. No appearance of 
cultivation. Lat. 4, 38. Carter recovers fast; the other 
invalids recovered. 

60th Day Wednesday 16th Dec. 

As you approach the Bay of St. Andrews the land gradually 
rises to a considerable height, and is covered with lofty trees 
to the summit. There are no towns visible. . . . Run- 
ning down the Gold Coast with great velocity in hopes of cap- 
turing several vessels which we understand are trading at 
Cape Lahore. At 8 a. m. a canoe came off from Picininni, 
Cape Lahore, who informed us a brig, mounting 6 guns, and 
a sloop unarmed left Grand Cape Lahore 7 days ago, bound 
down to Cape Corse Castle. This is bad news. These natives 
brought off gold dust and ivory but would receive nothing 
but powder and iron. Therefore we did not trade with them. 
.... Thermometer 112° Lat. Obs. 4°58' N. . . 
We have now been at sea two months being one third of our 
cruise. During this time we have taken four prizes, 18 car- 
riage guns, 250 stand small arms, 145 prisoners, and property 
to the value of $60,000. Our Officers and crew are all healthy 
and in good spirits. And we have water and provisions for 
at least 3 months on board. 

61st Day Thursday 17th Dec. 

At 2 p. m. Antonio, King of Cape Lahore, attended by 13 
of his nobility came off in a war canoe. His Majesty confirmed 
the news we received this morning relative to the brig and 
sloop. These natives are as black as ebony, remarkably 
stout, well made, of a ferocious aspect, and their hair and 
beards platted in the most fantastic style. They wished to 
exchange gold and ivory for powder, rum and muskets, but 
we did not trade with them. After King Antonio had got as 
drunk as David's sow we were obliged to force him and his 
cannibals to go on shore. Cape Lahore has no distinguishing 
mark from the neighboring coast which is flat and sandy. 
Lat. 5°5' N. 

62d Day Friday 18th Dec. 
. Nothing remarkable. Lat. Obs. 5*5'. 



32 

63d Day Saturday 19th Dec. 

. At 20 minutes past 9 a. m, Samuel Pickens dis- 
covered a brig at anchor . . . supposed to be under 
Fort Apollonia . All sails set . . At meridian the Fort 
bore right ahead, distant about six leagues. 

64th Day Sunday 20th Dec. 

Lieut. Karton piped for volunteers to man the barge and 
cut out the brig mentioned in yesterday's journal. Nearly 
the whole crew volunteered. From whom Mr. Barton selected 
21 of the most able and experienced seamen, who were properly 
armed for the purpose. At 4 p. m. piped to quarters and 
cleared for action. It was understood that the Yankee should 
run in under English colours until she came within half-cannon 
shot of the brig, then send our barge on board the brig with 
the Lieutenant, another officer, and 6 bargemen only visible, 
the remainder being concealed under the sail. Accordingly 
at ^ past 4 p. m. we rounded to within musket shot of the 
enemy and sent off the barge. In 6 minutes she had possession 
of the prize and immediately made sail, standing out to sea 
close on a wind. The Yankee did the same, previously firing 
the two shot directly into the Fort; which (strange to tell) 
was not returned. Lieut. Barton mentions that when he 
came alongside, and jumped on board with the whole boat's 
crew completely armed, the Captain instantly surrendered 
himself and his vessel. We find our prize to be the English 
copper-bottomed brig called the Fly of London, late Captain 
Jonathan Tydeman, 91 52/94 tons burthen, mounting 6 car- 
riage-guns, long sixes, with ammunition, small arms etc. and 
navigated by a Captain and ten seamen beside negroes. The 
Fly was formerly a French privateer, built in the Isle of France, 
and condemned at the Cape of Good Hope. She is a hand- 
some new vessel, sails remarkably well, and has a valuable 
cargo of gold-dust, ivory, gunpowder and drygoods. She 
captured on the 29th October last a Portuguese sloop called 
the New Constitution, (supposed to be American property) 
with 8 slaves on board, and sent her to Sierra Leone for trial. 
The invoice of the Fly's cargo at the time she left London 
amounted to £6810, 2s, 5d, but her cargo is not calculated to 
sell in America. The prize and cargo, including the gold-dust, 
may be reasonably estimated at $15,000. Captain Tydeman 
states that altho the Castle at Apollonia mounts 50 heavy 
cannon, yet it has no garrison, but is the residence of several 
factors. Capt. T. says he supposed us to be an English man 
of war and therefore made no preparations for defending his 
vessel. During the night stood out to sea, our prize in com- 
pany. At daylight piped up all hands & made preparations 



33 

for sending home the prize. Took the paroles of all prisoners, 
giving them duplicates. At 8 a. m. being in sight of land, we 
sent the prisoners on shore (according to their own request) 
in their own long boat — giving them all their clothes, baggage 
and private property besides several presents. Took out of 
our prize some gunpowder, rum, porter, livestock and various 
small articles, supplying her with water and sundries for her 
voyage. Made out Prize Commission, Instructions, wrote 
a letter to the owners and sent Capt. Thomas Milton Prize 
Master of said brig, and at 11 a. m. bade him adieu and made 
sail on our course. Lat. Obs. 4°, 41' N. 

65th Day Monday 21st Dec. 

At 7 p. m. passed our prize, gave them three cheers, and 
finally took leave of them.^ . . The Commander 

thinks it advisable to leave the coast as no doubt there are 
men of war in pursuit of us both from the windward and lee- 
ward. Lat. Obs. 4°23'. 

66th Day Tuesday 22d Dec. 

. We are now running for Annabona for the pur- 
pose of watering and then proceeding on our cruise. Andrew 
Holden and several seamen indisposed and on the Surgeon's 
list. Carter gets better fast. Lat. Obs. 3°31' N. 

67th Day Wednesday 23d Dec. 
. Nothing remarkable. . . Lat. Obs. 2°55' N. 

68th Day Thursday 24th Dec. 
. . . . Nothing remarkable. . . Lat. Obs. 2°18' N. 

69th Day Friday 25th Dec. 
. Killed the fatted calf, or more properly the fatted 
goat, gave the crew a pudding with extra allowance of grog, 
to keep a Merry Christmas. All hands in good health and 
fine spirits. Thermometer 88° in the cabin. No doubt our 
friends in Bristol are now shivering with the cold under the 
icicles and snow banks of their frozen climate. Lat. Obs. 
1°45' N. Long. Lunar at 9 a. m. 3° E. 

70th Day Saturday 26th Dec. 
. Nothing remarkable. Lat. Obs. 1°25' N. 

71st Day Sunday 27th Dec. 

. . . . Nothing remarkable. Lat. Obs. 1°21' N. Lunar 
Obs. at 10 a. m. 5° 20' E. 



'This was true in more ways than one as the Fly was recaptured by the British. The 
gold duat she had accumulated reached Bristol in the Yankee. 



34 

72d Day Monday 28th Dec. 

. At 2 p. m. discovered a sail bearing two points 
on the lee bow. 4 p. m. spoke the Portuguese schooner (or 
boat) 14 or 16 tons burthen, called the Antonia de Santa Rosa 
de Lima, Capt. Felix, 5 days out from St. Thomas' bound to 
Princes' Island, with 27 slaves on board. The captain and 
crew, 9 in number, were all black. ^ He said there were no 
vessels of any kind at St. Thomas' and he has seen none since 
he sailed. . . . Lat. Obs. 1°7' N. 

73d Day Tuesday 29th Dec. 

Nothing remarkable. Lat. Obs. 34' N. Lieut. 
Vinson indisposed. « 

74th Day Wednesday 30th Dec. 

. Surgeon's list. Lieut. Vinson, Mr. Andrew 
Holden, N. A. Slocum, Jas. Holden, John Carter, etc. None 
dangerous. 9 Lat. Obs. 30'N. 

75th Day Thursday 31st Dec. 
As you approach the Island of St. Thomas from the west- 
ward, the land gradually rises from the northern and southern 
extremities till it forms a high mountain in the centre covered 
with clouds. This island appears to be covered with trees 
except on a few level spots where there are green fields. At 
the northeast point there are two hummocks, which on ap- 
proaching you find to be the Island of Anna de Chaves. At 
^2 after 6 p. m. came to anchor in 20 fathoms of water. [Here 
follow some of the " ranges " taken.] At 8 a. m. the Command- 
er and clerk went on shore, waited upon the Governor and Fis- 
cal; were received with attention and politeness; obtained 
permission to fill their water, and were promised a supply of 
live-stock, vegetables and fruit. The Governor invited them 
to dine on shore but Capt. W. declined, wishing to return on 
board to expedite the watering. The Governor had no infor- 
mation of the war between England and America. A British 
vessel touched at St. Thomas' lately, who said all differences 
were settled between the governments. He informed us of 
a large English Letter of Marque Ship, mounting 18 guns, 
with 45 men, loading with camwood in Gaboon River. He 
says the Amelia Frigate is expected at the island, and that 
most of the men of war on the coast touch at the island for 
supplies. Both the officers spoke in high terms of America, 



' The small size of the vessel suggests the Pinta and the Niila of the fleet of Columbus. 

* Mr. Vinson's indisposition was probably due to drunkenness, as will appear from sub- 
sequent entries. His case was an unusual one for a Privateersman. 

• Query, Were there others suffering from the Vinsonian malady? 



35 

were pleased to find that our governments were still on ami- 
cable terms, and expressed the greatest indignation against 
British Power, Pride, Injustice and Insolence. They were 
rejoiced that we had met with success on our cruise, and ap- 
peared entirely friendly in every respect. Surgeon's List. 
Mr. Holden Lieut. V. and Slocum recovered and struck off the 
list. 

76th Day Friday 1st January 1813 

The first part of this day filled our water from a fine clear 
rapid river, situated about 100 yards from the white house 
on the beach, cut as much wood as was necessary. At 4 p. m. 
(Thursday afternoon) an officer came onboard with the Gover- 
nor's compliments, and mentioned that he would supply us with 
every article we wanted as soon as possible, and send them on 
board in canoes without obliging us to beat up to the city. 
Sent a note expressive of our thanks on the occasion. At 
9 a. m. the Commander and clerk again visited his Excellency 
Don Raymond da Cunha Matos and were received as yester- 
day with great politeness and civility. It being a great holi- 
day they attended church, (N. B. The priests, monks, and 
whole congregation were mulattoes or blacks) saw a proces- 
sion civil and military composed of the principal inhabitants, 
with two bands of music, and the Virgin Mary, parading the 
streets. Dined with the Governor, had a most excellent din- 
ner, with all kinds of vegetables, fruits, sweetmeats, liquors 
and wines; remained on shore the rest of the day as it came on 
to rain very heavy. The Governor having sent on board every 
article we wanted, paid him the amount in cloth and gold, bade 
him and the Fiscal adieu, returned on board, and at 11 p. m. 
weighed anchor and stood out to sea with a fair wind. St. 
Thomas' is a beautiful, fertile island, producing coffee in great 
abundance and of a superior quality; also corn, spices, veg- 
etables and fruits of every description, cattle and other live- 
stock, turtle, fish, etc. The town is in the form of a half 
moon, is situated at the head of a fine bay, and may contain 
three hundred houses, interspersed among gardens, plantain 
groves and coffee trees. Most of the buildings are small, 
many of them in ruins, and the remainder by no means elegant. 
The fort, or castle, as you enter the bay on the left hand mounts 
40 pieces of cannon, with a garrison of 100 men. The Governor 
informed us he had information of two small English brigs 
loading in the Gaboon, besides the ship mentioned yesterday, 
which he understood was now at the Cameroons. Upon the 
whole the Commander of the Yankee was much gratified with 
his reception at St. Thomas', and pleased to find these officers 
so favorably disposed toward the American government. 



36 

77th Day Saturday 2d Jan. 
. Nothing remarkable. Invalids all recovered. 
Lat. Obs. 16' N. 

78th Day Sunday 3d Jan. 

. Nothing remarkable. Lieut. Vinson and Asa 
Switcher incapable of duty. John Carter, James Holden, 
J. C. Lindegard, and several indisposed with slight com- 
plaints. Lat. Obs. 6' South. 

79th Day Monday 4th Jan. 

. Nothing remarkable . . Excessively hot, 
Thermometer 90° at midnight, being on the Line. Lat. Obs. 
4' North. 

80th Day Tuesday 5th Jan. 

. At 7 p. m. came to anchor at the mouth of the 
Gaboon River in ten fathoms of water. . . Immediately 
piped for volunteers to man the barge and explore the river 
to discover any strange sails. Master Snow appointed to 
command the expedition, and 21 brave fellows selected to 
accompany him. They were all completely armed and sup- 
plied with every article necessary for their night campaign. 
At 20 m, past 7 P. M. the barge left the Yankee with the best 
wishes of their remaining companions for their success and 
safe return. During the night calm and intolerably hot. At 
9 a. m, discovered two large boats in shore rowing toward us 
full of men. Piped all hands to Quarters, cleared for action 
and got a spring on the cable. Shortly after two African 
princes came on board, who informed us there was a small 
Portuguese schooner loading with slaves high up the river, 
and that an English Cutter arrived three days ago at King 
Glas' Town, near the mouth of the river. From their descrip- 
tion of the vessel. Captain and cargo we were clearly convinced 
that this Cutter was no other than our prize the Alder, Capt. 
Salsberry. Capt. S. passed as an English vessel and told the 
natives he had been fired at by a Portuguese ship at Rio Pun- 
gus, and that one shot stove his boat; that he had been struck 
by lightning during a tornado, which blew up his quarter deck 
and killed the former captain and five seamen. This ingenious 
deception does much credit to our Prize-Master. These Afri- 
cans further told us that the two brigs we heard of at St. Thom- 
as' sailed with valuable cargoes two weeks ago, and that the 
ship had not arrived. At meridian the barge returned on 
board and Master Snow informed us that they had proceeded 
up the river at least twelve leagues, that they saw no English 
vessels, but heard of the Portuguese schooner; that on their 
return they boarded the cutter mentioned above and found 



37 

her to be really our prize the Alder. Capt. Salisberry stated 
he had met with a great deal of bad weather and lost some 
spars, but saw no enemy. He arrived in the river five days 
since, was making a rapid and profitable trade for ivory, wax, 
skins and wood, and expected to sail in about a week for 
America. Himself and crew were in good health. Surgeon's 
list. Lieut. Vinson, James Holden, J. C. Lindegard recov- 
ered, Carter nearly recovered and Switcher better. Lat. 
Obs. 37' N. 

81st Day . . Wednesday 6th Jan. 

At meridian weighed anchor and stood out of the Gaboon 
River bound down the coast. . . Nothing remarkable. 
Lat. Obs. 18' S. 

82d Day Thursday 7th Jan. 
. Nothing remarkable . . No observation. 

83d Day Friday 8th Jan. 

During these 24 hours (as usual) variable winds, calms, 
squalls, thunder, lightning and heavy rain. All hands em- 
ployed about ship's duty presenting a very busy and amusing 
scene. Lat. Obs. 31' S. 

84th Day Saturday 9th Jan. 
. All sail set, bound to Annabona for supply, and from 
thence to the Island of St. Helena, one of our cruising stations. 
Long, from Lunar Obs. at 3 o'clock p. m. S° 40' — Lat. Obs. 
1°22' S. 

85th Day Sunday 10th Jan. 

Annabona bearing W. N. W. 3 leagues. At 5 p. m. saw the 
land 2 points on the lee bow. ^ past 5 discovered a sail 4 
points on the weather bow, took in studding-sails and luffed 
up close on a wind in chace. . . . At 10 p. m. discovered 
by the help of our night glasses that the chace was a brig stand- 
ing to the westward. Shortened sail and kept in company 
during the night. At daylight made all sail to come up with 
the chace. Observed she had hove to; hoisted English col- 
ours & showed 7 ports on a side. Piped all hands to quarters 
and cleared for action. At 7 a. m. came alongside and ordered 
her to strike her colours, which she did accordingly. Sent 
the barge on board and found our prize to be the English Brig 
Thames, late Francis Toole Master, 171 tons burthen, mount- 
ing 8 carriage guns (4-12 lbs & 4 long nines) with small arms, 
ammunition, etc. from Mayjumba, coast of Africa, bound to 
London, navigated by 14 persons, with a cargo of camwood, 
some goods and ivory. Took the prisoners on board the 
Yankee, and sent Capt. George Eddy as Prize-Master, with 



38 

N. M. Slocun and 8 seamen to navigate said vessel to America. 
Gave said Prize-Master the vessel's papers, his Commission, 
Instructions, Letter to the Owners etc. and then bade him 
farewell. The Thames is copper-bottomed, thoroughly re- 
paired, and carries a large cargo. This vessel and cargo may 
be reasonably estimated at $25,000. 

N. B. On the very day and hour of our capturing the 
Thames our Commander was born — 27 years ago. 

86th Day Monday 11th Jan. 

At 5 p. m. came to anchor on the north side of the Island of 
Annabona in 7 fathoms water, sandy bottom, opposite a small 
village distant about a mile from the shore. . . Soon after 
we came to, the black Governor and his mate came on board. 
We easily obtained permission to water, wood etc. . 
Having finished our trade and filled our water at 20 m before 
12 a. m. we got under weigh . . . This island is 7 or 
8 leagues in circumference and is remarkable for a lofty moun- 
tain covered with orange, lime and cocoanut trees. It has 
a fertile and beautiful appearance. 

It is with deep regret that the Commander of the Yankee 
feels it his duty in justice to himself, his Officers and his crew, 
to make the following entry in his Journal, relative to the 
conduct of one of his officers. — My Second Lieutenant John 
H. Vinson, has never, in my opinion, displayed either sea- 
manship, judgment or courage during our cruise. He ap- 
peared to be much intoxicated on the night of the partial 
engagement with His Majesty's Schooner St. Jagfo, and be- 
haved with great impropriety. During the skirmish with 
the Alder he was particularly negligent in not extinguishing 
the flames when our bulwarks were on fire. And during the 
long engagement with the Andalusia he certainly did not 
manifest either activity or courage. This officer is guilty of 
one offence which would subject him even to capital punish- 
ment — viz — sleeping on his watch. The night after we cap- 
tured the Fly, when we had a number of prisoners on board, 
and many of our crew had got drunk on board the prize, and 
were extremely riotous, Lieut. Vinson was himself much in- 
toxicated, or to speak plainly dead drunk, and slept in his 
watch in presence of myself, my officers, and the whole crew. 
He was guilty of the same offence on the 5th January when we 
lay at the Gaboon, and also last night when we had 14 prison- 
ers on board, and were anchored on a savage coast. This 
offence of getting drunk and sleeping on a watch is of a very 
serious and alarming nature, endangering both the safety of 
the vessel and the lives of all on board. His conduct subjects 
him to a court martial which will certainly convince him of 
his errors. 



39 

87th Day Tuesday 12th Jan. 

. At 4 p. m. exercised all hands at quarters; after 
which piped all hands to muster and found our crew now con- 
sisted of 71 men . . . Lat. Obs. 1°25' S. 

88th Day Wednesday 13th Jan. 

. John Carter recovered and struck off the Sur- 
geon's list. No invalids. Nothing worthy of remark. Lat, 
Obs. 1°53' S. 

89th Day Thursday 14th Jan. 

. . . . Nothing remarkable . . Lat. Obs. 2°39' 
S. No invalids. 

90th Day Friday 14th Jan. 

Lat. Obs. 3°16' S. . . We have now been at 
sea 3 months, one half of our cruise, and 97 days from Bristol 
where our cruise commenced. During this time we have 
taken 6 prizes, measuring 685 tons, mounting 34 carriage 
guns, 525 stand of arms, and 150 prisoners. 

91st Day Saturday 16th Jan. 
. Nothing remarkable. — Lat. Obs. 4°23'. 

92d Day Sunday 17th Jan. 
. All hands in excellent health. Being Saturday 
(Sunday) night all hands enjoyed the jubilee and drank to their 
sweethearts and wives. Our prisoners are mostly Irishmen 
and seem to be quiet and well disposed. Lat. Obs. 5°55'. 

93d Day Monday 18th Jan. 
. . . . Nothing remarkable. Lat. Obs. 6°33'S. 

94th Day Tuesday 19th Jan. 
. Nothing remarkable. Lat. Obs. 7°13' S. 

95th Day Wednesday 20th Jan. 
. . . . Nothing remarkable. Lat. Obs. 7°53' S. 

96th Day Thursday 21st Jan. 

At 14 past 5 p. m. came to anchor off the N. W. end of Ascen- 
sion Island. . . . Sent the barge on shore for the pur- 
pose of taking turtle during the night. . . At 8 a. m. the 
barge returned on board with a fine large turtle, weighing at 
least 400 lbs., and containing several thousand eggs — the only 
one seen on the beach during the night. At 9 a. m. again 
dispatched the barge and Capt. Wilson went on shore in 
the jolly-boat, to endeavor to procure more turtle. Wrote 
a letter, or memorandum, mentioning the arrival of the Pri- 
vateer Yankee at this island; her successful cruise, number of 



40 

captures, guns, prisoners, value, etc.; also the declaration of 
war against England, and its principal events; — which letter 
we directed to any American captains who might hereafter 
touch at this island. This letter was deposited among the 
rocks, being anchored in a bottle, where we observed a number 
of names engraved, particularly the following "Young Dick- 
enson, J. W. Costa, 1813," and "The Crescent Leach, 1812." 
Yi past 11 .a. m. the boats returned on board without any 
success. The officers and seamen caught a great number of 
fish, and killed a quantity of birds — neither fit to eat. The 
Island of Ascension is 3 leagues in length and 2 in breadth. 
It is composed of several hills or hummocks covered with a 
reddish earth, and has a very rugged and craggy appearance. 
It was evidently thrown up by some convulsion of nature. 
It is not inhabited and produces neither tree, fruit or vegetable 
— nay not even fresh water. There are some miserable lean 
wild goats and innumerable ship rats. The island is princi- 
pally remarkable for the vast quantity of turtle which resort 
here to deposit their eggs during certain months of the year. 
These turtle are easily taken during the night by concealing 
yourself on the beach, rushing suddenly upon them when they 
come on shore, and capsizing them. They are said to be of 
the finest and most delicious kind. Joseph Anthony, cox- 
swain of the barge, was very badly bruised when she capsized 
in the surf, and Zep. Andrews cut his hand very severely in 
butchering the turtle. It is singular that our crew receive 
more wounds from their own negligence than the shot of the 
enemy. Ascension— 7°56' South Lat. 13°54' West Long.i" 

97th Day Friday 22d Jan. 

The officers and company feasted most luxuriously on the 
fine turtle they caught the preceding night. . . . Caught 
another large turtle during the night. At 7 a. m. got in the 
barge, weighed anchor, and stood out to sea. . . Anthony 
and Andrews much better. Lat. Obs. 7°53'. Variation by 
a correct Amplitude taken while at anchor in Ascension Roads 
15°12' W. 

98th Day Saturday 23d Jan. 

. The Surgeon performed a surgical operation on 
James Anthony, by cutting out a wen or protuberance on his 
right cheek. Dr. Miller seems to be quite a proficient in the 
use of the knife and lancet. Lat. Obs. 8° S. 



'" The two islands, Ascension and Saint Helena, which was later to become famous 
as the prison of Napoleon Bonaparte, were both made "Ports of Call" for the Yankee. 



41 

99th Day Sunday 24th Jan. 
.... Killed our large turtle and all hands had a Sun- 
day feast. It was superexcellent. No invalids. Lat. Obs. 
8 fe. 

100th Day Monday 25th Jan. 
. . . . Nothing remarkable. Lat. Obs. 8°15' S. 

101st Day Tuesday 26th Jan. 
At 9 a. m. piped all hands to Vendue and sold a quantity 
of prize goods, viz, shirts, cloth, linen, razors, knives, cloaks, 
flannel, etc. etc. to the officers and crew to furnish them with 
clothes for their cruise and when they arrive on a winter's 
coast. Lat. 8°6' S. 

102d Day Wednesday 27th Jan. 

.... Nothing worthy of remark. Lat. Obs. 7°53' S. 
Long. Lunar 29°35' W. 

103d Day Thursday 28th Jan. 
.... Lat. Obs. 7°52' S. Lunar Obs. 32°7' W. 

104th Day Friday 29th Jan. 
. . . . Nothing remarkable. Lat. Obs. 8°8'. 

105th Day Saturday 30th Jan. 
• • • . 7 a. m. saw several small Portuguese fishing 
boats, called Jangars. 3/^ past 7 a. m. made the land bearing 
right ahead, distant 7 or 8 leagues. The land appeared low, 
with a number of towers or churches on the coast, and the 
town of Olinde situated on the side of a hill, making a beautiful 
appearance. 9 a. m. discovered several large vessels at anchor 
m the harbour of Pernambuco. 11 a. m. spoke a Portuguese 
schooner just out of Pernambuco, bound to windward; in- 
formed us there were no English men of war on the coast- 
that there were three large British ships in harbour, loading, 
and two American schooners laid up without cargoes. They 
had heard of no American privateers on this station. 11 a. m. 
Jibed ship in chace of a sail distant 4 or 5 miles 
Lat. Obs. 8°12'. " " ' 

106th Day Sunday 31st Jan. 
Pernambuco bearing N. W. distant 8 or 10 leagues. At 
1 p. m. piped all hands to quarters, ran down under the lee of 
a large armed English Brig, pierced for 16 guns, and mounting 
8. When within pistol shot ordered her to strike her colours— 
the reply was "We are all ready"— and hesitated. Capt. 
Wilson again ordered him to lower his flag and quit the deck 
or he would fire into him. The reply was "Surely you are 



42 

joking." Our Commander still ordered his men not to fire, 
and a third time ordered him to strike instantly, which he 
did with great reluctance. Sent our boat on board and found 
our prize to be the large armed English Brig called the Harriott 
and Matilda of Mayport, Captain John Inman, burthen 262 
tons, copper-bottomed, mounting 8 carriage guns — 6 twelve 
and 2 eighteen pound cannonades, from Cork bound to Per- 
nambuco, with a cargo of salt, porter, iron, drygoods, earthen- 
ware, butter, cheese, potatoes etc. etc. The Harriott and 
Matilda was captured from the Danes in 1808, sails well, and 
is a jSne vessel. The vessel and cargo may be reasonably 
valued at $27,000. Took the prisoners on board and beat 
off the land during the night. At 7 p. m. sent 18 prisoners 
ashore in our barge, which we gave them, with all their clothes, 
baggage, a compass, water, provisions etc. being at this time 
within 7 leagues of Pernambuco. During the latter part o^ 
these 24 hours all hands employed in taking out the following 
articles from the prize, viz — 16 hampers cheese, 56 do Irish 
potatoes, 20 kegs of butter, 6 casks bottled porter, 20 gallons 
Rum, and 31 bales of fine merchandise. The Harriott and 
Matilda sailed from Cork under convoy of the Frolic {Cherub'^.) 
sloop of war, and parted from him three days before. The 
convoy consisted of 6 East Indiamen, and several others bound 
to Rio Janeiro. It is worthy of remark that the Yankee ran 
from Ascension to Cape St. Augustine, a distance of 1200 
miles, in 7J^ days — fresh trades, pleasant weather, a smooth 
sea, and all sails set, scarcely ever moving tack or sheet. Lat. 
Obs. 8°29'. 

107th Day Monday 1st Feb. 
All hands employed in sending away the prize. Made out 
Commission, Letter of Instructions, wrote a letter to the 
owners, and gave the ship's papers to the Prize-Master, Rich- 
ard M. Coit, with a crew of 12 men. At 4 p. m. gave our prize 
three cheers and bade her adieu. At 9 a. m. having taken the 
paroles of all the prisoners, we gave Capts. Toole and Inman 
the long boat of the prize, supplied them with every necessary 
article, and being within 6 leagues of Pernambuco, they went 
on shore. Capt. Toole had been 21 days a prisoner and be- 
haved very well during the whole time, 10 a. m. saw a sail 
bearing S. E. at a great distance. Lat. Obs. 8°4' S. 

108th Day Tuesday 2d Feb. 
At 1 p. m. discovered a sail on the lee bow at a great distance. 
At 3 p. m. having approached within 23^^ miles of the sail 
mentioned in yesterday's journal made her out to be an Eng- 
lish sloop of war in disguise. Immediately up helm, set stay- 
sails, and bore away N. b E. The enemy did the same and 



43 



set all sail, showing a cloud of canvas. We were glad to ob- 
serve that we soon altered his bearings, & at sundown left him 
astern, distant about 3 or 4 leagues. . . . On mustering 
the crew find we have 62 persons on board, including boys and 
negroes, also 3 prisoners. Lat. Obs. 8°14' S. 

109th Day Wednesday 3d Feb. 
•■ I ' il .^ ^^^^J. ^ P- ^- ^^^ several sails, made all sail 
lx)ate ^\at 7^°53' ^^^""^^""^^ ^^^"^ *^ ^^ Jangars, or fishing 

110th Day Thursday 4th Feb. 
At 3 P- m. having run down opposite Pernambuco 
hoisted the American pendant and colours, and hauled un 
close on the wind bound to Fernando Noronha for a supply 
of water. Lat. Obs. 9°17' S. 

111th Day Friday 5th Feb. 
.... Lat. Obs. 7° 29' S. 

112th Day Saturday 6th Feb. 
. . . . Lat. Obs. 5°56'.— Long. Lunar 33°50'. 
113th Day Sunday 7th Feb. 
At 1^ past 5 a. m. the Island of Fernando Noronha— i^ past 
7 saw a sail 2 points under the lee bow. Made all sail in chkce. 
At ^2 past 10 a. m. came up with the chace and found her to 
be our prize the Alder, Salisberry Master, being the second 
time we have spoken him. Sent for Capt. Salisberry on board, 
who informed us that he left the Gaboon on the 11th ult - 
that he has seen no sail, that his schooner sailed well and was 
m good order, that his crew were all healthy except James 
Thomas-whom we took on board, and sent one of our pris- 
oners m his stead,— and that he had a full cargo of the follow- 
ing articles; VIZ. 50 oz gold dust, 45 tons red-wood, 1 do ivory, 

s^onlied rnn?^^^°.l^' gum copal. Took the gold on board 
supplied Capt. S. with some bread, rice, cheese, butter, porter 

lit. Obs 3^3" ^^^"^ ^^^^ *^'^^ '^'^'' ^""^ ^^^^ him adieu: 

114th Day Monday 8th Feb. 

w«tPr finrH Wf^"""* ^ ^' ""• ""^"^^ *^ ^^^^^^ ^° 13 fathoms 
water hard bottom, m a convenient harbour at the N. W 

2tf ^^^^n^"" Noronha, distant about ^ of a mile from the 
nf/vf ■ r C«^,^ander sent Lieut. Barton to ask permission 
of the Governor to obtain wood and water. He was received 

^r.n+.H T>, r^^^^ ""^^^Z' ^^^ *^^ P^*^t^«^ "^^^ at once 
f-^A \rn f ^ governor mformed Lieut. B. that the Morjiana 
and Acasta, British Frigates, touched at this island last De- 



44 

cember, bound to India; and that the American ship John 
of Salem, also touched here on the 14th Jan. 1813. 11 a. m. 
sent the boat to fill water, which is very difficult to obtain. 

115th Day Tuesday 9th Feb. 

At 5 p. m. got up the anchor and dropped down nearer the 
watering place. . . Both boats employed in getting off 
wood and water. Owing to the heavy surf which breaks over 
the rocks find it very difficult to take off the water. However 
got 9 casks on board and two boat loads of wood. Master 
Snow and Lieut. Barton on shore finishing our affairs, i. e. 
filling the rest of the water, buying fresh stock, etc. etc. All 
hands busy, some in the boats, others in the hold, many over- 
hauling the rigging, slushing the masts, etc. no idlers, every- 
one anxious to leave the famous (or perhaps infamous) island 
of Fernando Noronha." James Thomas, the seaman we took 
out of the Alder, is dangerously sick of a fever he caught in 
the Gaboon. 

116th Day Wednesday 10 Feb. 

Messrs. Snow, Barton and Miller dined on shore with the 
Governor. They were treated with great civility and polite- 
ness. The Governor expressed his satisfaction at our having 
captured 14 English vessels, and mentioned that an American 
Consul touched at this island on the 13th Dec. last, on his 
way to Pernambuco. Having got all wood and water on 
board, and also a fine bullock, at 4 p. m. weighed anchor and 
stood out to sea, with fresh trades and fine weather — course 
N. N. W. bound towards HOME. . . . Thomas is 
something better but still dangerous. Lat. Obs. 1°33' S. 

117th Day Thursday 11th Feb. 
. Nothing worth noting. Lat. Obs. 30'S. 

118th Day Friday 12th Feb. 
At 3 p. m. being Lieut. Vinson's watch, a squall 
struck us with all sail standing, and had nearly capsized the 
ship. Instantly the other officers ran upon deck and let fly 
halyards and sheets and kept her before it. As soon as the 
squall was over Captain Wilson put Lieut. Vinson under arrest 
for this and various other offences during the cruise (See ante). 
Afterwards on his acknowledging his errors and promising 
to reform Captain Wilson reinstated him in his command. 
... No Obs. 

119th Day Saturday 13th Feb. 
. . . . Thomas is better. Lat. Obs. 4°16' N. 



" The island is used by the government of Brazil as a penal settlement. 



45 

120th Day Sunday 14th Feb. 
. . . [Nothing worth noting.] Lat. Obs. 6°22'. 

121st Day Monday 15th Feb. 
. . . [Nothing worth noting.] Lat. Obs. 8°35'. 

122d Day Tuesday 16th Feb. 
. . . [Nothing worth noting.] Lat. Obs. 11 °2'. 

123 Day Wednesday 17th Feb. 
. . . Thomas is out of danger. Lat. Obs. 13°30' N. 
124th Day Thursday 18th Feb. 
. . . . Thomas is much better. Lat. Obs. 15°37' N. 
125th Day Friday 19th Feb. 
. . . Distance 203 miles— Lat. Obs. 18°13' N. 

126th Day Saturday 20th Feb. 
. . . Thomas is not so well. Lat. Obs. 20°52' N. 
127th Day Sunday 21st Feb. 

. . . [Nothing remarkable.] Lat. Obs. 23°14' N. 
Long. Lunar Obs. at 9 a. m. 52°12' W. 

128th Day Monday 22d Feb. 

At 6 a. m. discovered a sail one point on the lee bow.— At 
8 discovered the sail to be a brig. . . At 10 made sail in 
chace of the ship . . . distant about 3 leagues. Lat. 
Obs. 25°14'. 

129th Day Tuesday 23d Feb. 

Continued in chace of the sail ahead. At 2 p. m. fired a gun 
and hoisted the American flag, upon which the chace showed 
Portuguese colours and hove to. At 4 p. m. sent the boat on 
board and found her to be the Portuguese ship Amazon, 
Captam Francis Antonia, 24 days out from Lisbon, bound to 
Boston with a cargo of salt. Capt. A. informed us that on 
the 15th inst. he saw a sail ahead but did not speak her— that 
there were a great number of Americans at Lisbon and Cadiz, 
who were bound home under neutral colours. Lord Welling- 
ton had visited Lisbon and Cadiz for a few days and returned 
to his army. The English told Capt. A. that their fleets had 
burnt and destroyed Charleston and Philadelphia (This is 
very improbable) 12 At 5 p. m. made sail on our course. Lat. 
Obs. 26°16' N.— Long. Lunar Obs. 10 a. m. 55°27' W. Var. 
Ev. Amp. 5°20' W. Thomas is much better. 



^ The burning of Washington was yet to come. 



46 

130 Day Wednesday 24th Feb. 
. At 11 a. m. discovered a sail on the lee bow, 
apparently a brig standing close hauled to the eastward under 
royals with his course hauled up. Observed the sail imme- 
diately to bear away in chace of us. Tacked ship and made 
all sail to avoid the chace, or at least to discover how she sailed. 
Gentle breezes, a smooth and pleasant weather. 11-40 a. m. 
finding we dropped the chace very fast again tacked ship. 
. At meridian the sail bears 2 points on the lee bow, dis- 
tant 12 or 14 miles. Lat. Obs. 27°3' N.— Long. Lunar 56° 
42' W. 

131st Day Thursday 25th Feb. 

Made all sail in chace. At 3 p. m. fired a gun, upon which 
the chace showed English colours. Yi past 3 she hove to with 
her maintopsail aback. Piped all hands to quarters and 
cleared for action. 34 before 4 the enemy got under weigh 
to engage us. At 4 p. m. being within good gun shot com- 
menced a brisk cannonade on the starboard side which the 
enemy returned. 10 minutes past 4 p. m. she wore ship and 
struck her colours. Gave three cheers. Sent the barge on 
board and found our prize to be the English Brig called the 
Shannon, Captain Robert Kendall, of Workington, 25 days 
out from Maranham, bound to Liverpool, 210 tons burthen, 
with a full cargo of cotton (100 bales) navigated by 15 men, 
mounting 10 carriage guns, sixes and nines, a fine vessel and 
sails well. The Mate was severely wounded in the foot. 
Took out the prisoners, made out Prize Commission for Sam- 
uel Barton, Letter of Instructions, gave him ship's papers, 
and at 3^ past 5 p. m. gave our prize three cheers and bade her 
adieu. Thus in one hour and a half we took a valuable prize, 
manned her and ordered her home. This prize may be esti- 
mated at $45,000.1' 

Long. Lunar at 9 a. m. 58°6' W.— Lat. Obs. 27°37' N. 

132 Day Friday 26th Feb. 

At 5 p. m. saw a sail 13^ points on the lee bow, apparently 
a brig standing to the southward. . . At daylight no 



"Before the Shannon was captured, Mr. Jonea had made out his "List of Prizes," 
and had also written the " Route of the Yankee" which is printed at the end of this Jour- 
nal. It is possible that he may not have protested very strongly at the additional entries 
he was compelled to make. The Shannon, with her cargo, actually netted $67,521. The 
erroneous estimate may be excused in view of the exceedingly short time allowed for its 
making. When the cargo of the Shannon was sold, Mr. De Wolf found that he had been 
remunerated for all hia losses suffered at the hands of the British cruisers. He therefore 
renamed her the Balance. Bearing that name she sailed from Bristol for years thereafter. 
The next prize was renamed the Prize, and the next the Remiiiance. The San Jose In' 
diano of the 5th cruise became the General Jackton. 



47 

appearance of the sail we discovered last night 

Long. Lun. at 11 a. m. 59°44' W .— Lat. Obs. 28°20' N. 

133d Day Saturday 27th Feb. 

At 3 p. m. discovered a sail two points on the lee beam; 
believed her to be an armed vessel in chace of us. Continued 
our course with all our canvass spread. Yi past 4 lost sight 
of the sail astern. During the night frequent squalls of wind 
and rain. At 4 p. m. being very dark and squally found our- 
selves suddenly in the midst of a fleet of ships. Instantly 
called all hands and tacked ship to the S. E. At daybreak 
discovered two large ships and a brig standing to the E. 
Tacked ship again to the N. N. W. The nearest sail bore two 
points on the lee beam distant about 2J/2 leagues. At 7 a. m. 
lost sight of all the sails and continued on our course. Strong 
breezes, flying clouds and a heavy sea. Rook two reefs in 
topsail and mainsail, got six of our cannon below, with all the 
shot boxes, secured Long Tom with strong lashings, housed 
the lee guns, and got everything ready for the stormy weather 
which we may expect to encounter as we approach our coast. 
. Thomas is nearly recovered. The wounded prisoner 
is comfortable and the Surgeon thinks he will do well. Lat. 
Obs. 30°27' N. 

134th Day Sunday 28th Feb. 

(Begins with heavy weather) 9 a. m. saw a sail 3 points on 
the weather bow. 3^ past 10 spoke the Swedish (American) 
Hermaphrodite Brig Augustus from Boston, bound to St. 
Bartholomew's — with liberty to touch at Bermuda — with 
cargo of American produce, 15 days out. The Captain and 
passengers informed us that Commodore Decatur had cap- 
tured the British Frigate Macedonian after an engagement of 
17 minutes; that none of our vessels of war have been taken; 
that Admiral Warren's squadron were blockading the Chesa- 
peake with two Seventy fours and five Frigates, and that there 
were not many cruisers on the coast. We obtained from him 
several newspapers up to the 13th Feb., from which it appears 
that no important battles had taken place on the Frontier, 
but several skirmishes with the Indians; that the foreign news 
was no later than our English papers — Bonaparte having 
retired into winter quarters at Smolenski, and Lord Welling- 
ton on the borders of Portugal; that the coasting trade is still 
continued; that a great trade was carried on under neutral 
flags and many vessels dispatched to Lisbon, Cadiz and France; 
that there were numerous arrivals from foreign ports but not 
many prizes, and that five frigates had sailed from France 
bound to America. Congress had passed a loan bill for 22 



48 

millions and raised another army of 20000 men, besides build- 
ing several sloops of war. Permitted the Augustus to pro- 
ceed.— Lat. Obs. 31°33'. 

135th Day Monday 1st March 

. . . . Distance 212 miles. Invalids recover fast. 
Lat. Obs. 34°23' Thermometer 71°. 

136th Day Tuesday 2d March 
(Commences with strong breezes and pleasant weather — 
then comes a tremendous gale with very high seas.) 11 a. m. 
the stern boat being stove in the bows cut it adrift. ^ past 
11 a. m. came on a very heavy squall of rain and hail and hove 
the ship down nearly on her beam ends; instantly cut away 
the fore and trysail halyards, got the helm up and kept her 
before it, threw four of our cannon overboard, got two below, 
sent down maintopmast; vessel labored excessively, the sea 
making a fair breach over her. Continual squalls of wind, 
rain, hail and snow, with thunder and lightning and a very 
dangerous sea. Finding it unsafe to lay the ship to while the 
squalls continued sent her before it under a foretopmast 
staysail; ship perfectly tight and making no water. Lat. Obs. 
37°11' N. 

137th Day Wednesday 3d March 

The storm continues with frequent and heavy squalls. 
. . _ . At 12 midnight the squalls become less frequent — 
the wind more moderate and steady and the sea less danger- 
ous. Hove to under trysail with her head to the westward, 
rode easy and shipped no seas. 8 a. m. the wind died away 
-^nearly a calm — latterly an entire calm. Vessel labors con- 
siderably owing to the heavy sea. Thomas is almost well; 
the wounded Mate is in a fair way to recover; the Armourer 
received a bad contusion in the side by a fall. Ther. 63° Lat. 
36°23' N. 

138 Day Thursday 4th March 
(More very nasty weather). Conclude with strong gales 
and flying clouds with a bad sea. Invalids not so well. Lat. 
Obs. 37°30' N. 

139th Day Friday 5th March 
(Variable weather. Two sails sighted at a distance.) Mr. 
Jackson, the wounded mate, is dangerously ill. Lat. Obs. 
None. 

140th Day Saturday 6th March 

(IMore squally weather with dangerous seas.) Thermo- 
meter 45°. Lat. 37°28'. 



49 

141st Day Sunday 7th March 
(The gale gradually dies away) . Dark cloudy weather and 
excessively cold. Mr. Jackson is dangerously sick — having 
symptoms of the lock-jaw. The Armourer recovered. Lat. 
Obs. 37°5' N. 

142d Day Monday 8th March 
(Again heavy weather and high seas.) Mr. Jackson is 
(we fear) past recovery, having frequent spasms and con- 
firmed lockjaw. James Thomas no better, the Armourer 
better. No Obs. Lat. D. R. 39°37' N. Long. D. R. 69°55'. 

143d Day Tuesday 9th March 

8 a. m. discovered a sail on the weather bow, 3^ 
past 8 made out the sail to be a pilot-boat-built schooner under 
reefs standing towards us. 9 a. m. the sail showed a red and 
white signal and bore away S. E. Believed her to be an Am- 
erican Privateer. 3^ past 9 more ships heading W. N. W. 
• • . . Tis exactly five months today since we left 
Bristol. Mr, Jackson no better. Lat. Polar Star at 4 a. m. 
39°30' No Obs. 

144th Day Wednesday 10th March 
(Preparations for port). This morning the sun was fair 
and serene, the air was clear and bracing, the sea smooth, and 
a fair wind from the S. W. Sent up topmasts and yards and 
set all sail below and aloft. Cou. N. N. E. 8 knots. Got up 
all the wet sails, colours and clothes and aired them. Bent 
the cables. Lat. Polar star at 7 p. m. 39°20' N. Lat. Obs. 
40°14'. Long. Lunar at 4 p. m. 72°54' W. Soundings at 
meridian 55 fathoms. Block Island bears N. N. E. distant 
about 65 miles. Jackson is better. 

145th Day Thursday 11th March 
. At Yi past 4 p. m. the man at mast head called 
out LAND HO! Joyful sound to persons five months at sea 
on a long and dangerous cruise. Suppose the land to be Long 
Island. At sundown running down the land on the larboard 
hand 7 p. m. cloudy with rain. Shortened sail. 8 p. m. 
being very dark and hazy and not being able to see the light 
hove to under reefed topsail and stood off and on 3. a m. died 
away a calm and we suddenly lessened our soundings to 6 
fathoms. Immediately took in sail and let go our small 
anchor. Found she rode with her head to the S. W. current 
setting to the N. E. At daylight being dark and foggy with 
rain, and no land in sight, fired several guns for a pilot. 8 a. 
m. it became more clear and we discovered the land and break- 
ers close aboard bearing E. b N. We instantly knew this land 



50 

to be Nantucket and that we were mistaken in supposing it 
to be Long Island. This mistake might have proved fatal and 
had it commenced blowing heavy from the S, W. we must 
inevitably have been shipwrecked on these dangerous shoals. 
Weighed anchor and made all sail to the S. Soon deepened 
our soundings to 17 fathoms. . . . No Obs. 

146th Day Friday 12th March 

At Y2 past 1 p. m. the fog cleared away and we plainly dis- 
covered No Man's Land, Gay Head and Block Island all in 
view. . . . Observe the land to be covered with snow 
and a brig and schooner in shore. Cloudy and very cold with 
a smooth sea, a fair wind and all sail set. At 3-13 p. m. saw 
Rhode Island Light right ahead. — 6 p. m. came on a very 
thick fog with a heavy swell. Spoke a schooner from New 
York bound in to Newport who informed us he left Rhode 
Island Light about 30 minutes ago and that it bore N. N. W. 
distant about 3 miles. He further mentioned that there were 
no British cruisers in the Bay, but had heard of several off 
Sandy Hook. Made sail for the Light. Y2 past 6 p. m. it 
being very dark and foggy, not being able to see the Light, 
came to anchor in 17 fathoms, soft bottom. During the night 
foggy with heavy rain and extremely cold. 12 midnight dis- 
covered the Light bearing N. N. W. 3^ N. distant about V/^ 
miles. At daylight made sail and weighed anchor, standing 
in for Newport harbour. It is with deep regret we mention 
the death of Mr. Jackson, late first Mate of the English Brig 
Shannon, who died at 3^ past 12 midnight in great agony. 
Mr. Jackson, as before stated, was severely wounded by a 
cannon ball in the foot during the skirmish between the Yan- 
kee and the Shannon on the 24th ult. Notwithstanding every 
medical assistance, and all possible attention his wound ter- 
minated in the lockjaw, spasms and death. Mr. Jackson 
belonged to Workington, was 23 years old, very much beloved 
by his captain and crew, and appeared to be a most excellent 
young man. 

At 3^ past 7 a. m. passed Rhode Island Light; }4 past 8 
a. m. fired a salute of three guns as we passed Fort Wolcott. 
9 a. m. came to anchor in Newport harbour. Thus after an 
absence of 146 days the Yankee has arrived safe, having cap- 
tured during the cruise 8 valuable prizes, 52 cannons, 196 
prisoners, 401 stand of small arms, and property to the amount 
of 296,000 dollars. She is ballasted with gold-dust, ivory and 
fine goods. She has not lost a man during the cruise either 
by sickness or the enemy, and has returned with 52 persons 
on board including boys. It is worthy of remark that the 
Yankee neither saw nor was chased by any of his Majesty's 



51 

war dogs during the cruise except the little schooner St. Jago. 
She has encountered as before mentioned a great deal of tem- 
pestuous weather on the coast but has received no material 
injury, except the loss of 4 cannon thrown overboard on the 
2d of March. 

THUS ENDS OUR CRUISE. 

"Honor and shame from no condition rise, 
Act well your part, there all the Honor lies." 

District and Port of Newport, March 12th, 1813. 

I, Oliver Wilson, Commander of the private armed brig called the Yankee, do swear 
that what is contained in the foregoing Journal, consisting of one hundred and fifty pages, 
is just and true in all its parts. So help me God. 

OuvEB Wilson. 

Collector's Office, Port of Newport 
Sworn to the day and year above mentioned, 
William Ellbby, Collector. 

FINIS 

LIST OF PRIZES CAPTURED BY THE PRIVATEER 

"YANKEE" DURING HER SECOND CRUISE. 

No. 1. Sloop Mary Ann of London, Captain Stewart Suther- 
land, copper-bottomed, mounting 4 carriage guns and navi- 
gated by 11 men, with a cargo of gold-dust, ivory, drygoods, 
and camwood. Took out the cargo, stripped the vessel and 
set her on fire. 27th Nov. 1812— Lat. Obs. 7°29' N.— off 
Sierra Leone. 
Vessel and cargo valued at $16,000 

No. 2 Letter of Marque Schooner Alder, of Liverpool, late 
Captain Edward Crowley, mounting 6 carriage guns (9 
pounders), coppered, formerly a French Privateer, with 21 
men and a cargo of gun powder (400 casks) muskets, iron, 
lead, flints, drygoods, etc. Ordered home. The Alder 
was captured on the 3d of Dec. 1812 in Lat. 6°53' N, off 
Cape Saint Anna, after a skirmish of 20 minutes. The 
Alder blew up. 
Vessel and cargo valued at $10,000 

No. 3 Letter of Marque Brig Andalusia, Anthony Yates Ken- 
dall, Master of and from Gibraltar, bound to the coast on 
a trading voyage, 210 tons burthen, mounting 10 carriage 
guns (4 long French nines and 6 twelve pound cannonades) 
with small arms, ammunition etc. and a crew of 100 men 
including 81 Free Africans who served as marines. The 
Andalusia was captured on the 10th of Dec. 1812, in Lat. 
5°35' N, after a running fight of three hours and a close en- 
gagement of 45 minutes. 
Vessel and cargo valued at $17,000 



52 

No. 4 Pilot boat Schooner George. Cut out by the Yankee's 

boat. Deserted by the captaui and crew. Cargo Rice. 
Given to prisoners. 

Vessel and cargo valued at $1,000 

No. 5 Brig Thames of Liverpool, Francis Toole, Master; 8 
carriage guns (nines and twelves), 14 men, cargo ivory, 
drygoods and camwood (240 tons) — captured 10th Jan. 
1813 off Annaboria. 
Vessel and cargo valued at $25,000 

No. 6 Brig Fly of London, Captain Tydeman, 6 carriage 
guns (nines) 14 men, formerly a French privateer, a new and 
handsome vessel and sails well, cargo gold-dust, ivory, 
gun powder, drygoods and sundries. The Fly was cut 
out from under the guns of Fort Apollonia, mounting 50 
pieces of artillery, at 1 p. m. on the 20th Dec. 1812. 
Vessel and cargo valued at (Besides the gold) $26,000 

No. 7 Armed Brig Harriott and Matilda, of Maryport, Cap- 
tain John Inman, from Cork bound to Pernambuco, mount- 
ing 8 carriage guns, eighteens and twelves, 14 men, cop- 
pered, 262 tons, sails well, with a valuable cargo of drygoods, 
iron, porter, salt etc. 
Vessel and cargo valued at $27,000 

No. 8 Brig Shannon, Captain Robert Kendall, of Working- 
ton, from Maranham, bound to Liverpool, mounting 10 
carriage guns (nines and sixes), 15 men, 210 tons burthen, 
with a full cargo of cotton (100 tons). The Shannon was 
captured on the 24th Feb. in Lat. 27°3' N. and Long. Lunar 
56°42' °W, Bermudas bearing N. W., after an action of 
10 minutes in which the Mate of the Shannon was severely 
wounded. 

Vessel and cargo valued at $45,000 

Property on board the Yankee in gold, ivory, 

fine goods etc. $45,000 











$212,000 




GENERAL ESTIMATE. 




Names 


Guns 


Men 


Small Arms 


Value 


Mary Ann 


4 


11 


186 


$16,000 


Alder 


6 


21 


90 


10,000 


Andalusia 


10 


100 


90 


17,000 


George 




7 




1,000 


Fly 


6 


14 


20 


26,000 


Thames 


8 


14 


30 


25,000 



53 

Names Guns Men Small Arms Value 

Harriott & Matilda 8 14 20 $ 27,000 

Shannon 10 15 25 45,000 

52 196 461 $167,000 

Value on board the Yankee 45,000 

$212,000 

OFFICERS OF THE YANKEE 

Oliver Wilson, Commander 

Seth Barton, First Lieutenant 

John H. Vinson, Second Lieutennant 

Thomas Jones, Third Lieutenant 
Elisha Snow, Master 
Caleb Miller, Surgeon 

Noah Jones, Capt. of Marines & Captain's Clerk 
Andrew Holden, First Mate 

Joseph Meades, Second Mate 

Thomas Pitts, Third Mate 
Seven Prize-Masters 

Six Quarter-Masters 
One hundred men 

ROUTE OF THE YANKEE. 

Touched at St. Jago, Cape de Verds, on the 27th day of her 
cruise for wood and water. Engaged one of his Britannic 
Majesty's Schooners on the night of the 23d of November. 
Cruised between Cape Verde and Cape Lopez from the 22d 
of November 1812 to the 6th of January 1813, looking in at 
every port, harbour, river, factory, town etc on that coast, 
and capturing five valuable prizes, loaded with gold dust, 
ivory, dyewoods etc. Touched at the islands of St. Thomas, 
Annabona, Ascension, and Fernando Noronha, at various 
times during her cruise, for wood, water and fresh stock. 
Then cruised off the coast of Brazil, and captured two large 
brigs with cargoes of fine goods and sundries. Fought four 
battles, crossed the Equinoctial Line six times, and returned 
safe into port, having been frequently chased by the enemy, 
after an absence of 146 days without the loss of a man." 

(Noah Jones, Captain's Clerk) 



" The Shannon had not been taken when this "Route" was written. 



